The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reported that officers responded to the hotel on Sunday around 10:45 am following a welfare check after a mother and daughter failed to show up for a scheduled activity. Although authorities initially did not release names, court records and family members identified the victims as 38-year-old Tawnia McGeehan and 11-year-old Addi Smith. Timeline of the Discovery: According to homicide lieutenant Robert Price, officers knocked on the door for several minutes without receiving an answer. Later, after receiving new information from relatives, security personnel entered the room around 2:30 pm and found both deceased. “The mother shot her daughter and then shot herself,” Price stated at a press conference. He added that a note was found, the contents of which were not disclosed. The coroner determined that McGeehan died from a gunshot wound to the head and ruled his death a suicide. The official cause of the child's death remains pending. A long custody battle: Court documents show that McGeehan and her ex-husband, Brad Smith, engaged in a bitter custody battle for years following their 2015 divorce. Court orders established strict protocols for exchanges, including supervised drop-offs in the Herriman Police Department parking lot and the requirement to communicate only through a court-approved app. In 2020, the mother temporarily lost custody after court determinations that identified behaviors that could negatively impact the child's relationship with her father. By 2024, they had agreed to shared custody, alternating weeks.

Recent tensions within the cheerleading team

Mother and daughter were in Las Vegas for a cheerleading competition. Addi was part of Utah Xtreme Cheer.

Family members indicated that there had been conflicts with other mothers on the team in recent weeks. According to statements gathered by local media,McGeehan had received text messages considered “cruel,” and tensions had escalated after a previous competition.

The gym owner, Kory Uyetake, confirmed that he was aware of disagreements among the parents, although he maintained that everything seemed normal before the trip.

After the tragedy, Utah Xtreme Cheer announced the cancellation of classes and expressed being “completely heartbroken.”

Other organizations where the girl participated also posted messages of condolence.

Call to avoid speculation

Valerie Krystine Muniz, who identified herself as the girl's aunt, asked on social media for an end to speculation while the family grieves.

“I have never known a man who loves and fights for his daughter like he has,” she wrote, referring to the girl's father. “The system failed them both.”

The investigation continues, and authorities have not released further details about a possible motive.