Cheer Mom’s Unthinkable Act Shocks Utah

A devoted Utah mother allegedly shot her pre-teen cheerleader daughter before turning the gun on herself in a Las Vegas hotel room, leaving a heartbroken community demanding answers on failed welfare checks.

Story Snapshot

Tawnia McGeehan, mid-30s from Utah, killed her daughter Addi Smith, a pre-teen Utah Xtreme Cheer athlete, in apparent murder-suicide at Rio Hotel & Casino during JAMZ National Cheer Competition.
LVMPD conducted initial welfare check Sunday morning but cleared scene without entry; bodies discovered afternoon by hotel security after family alerts.
Police confirmed mother shot daughter then self, found note at scene (contents undisclosed); investigation ongoing with no motive released.
Cheer community mourns with tributes, moment of silence; GoFundMe launched for funeral costs amid tight-knit gym grief.

Tragic Discovery at Rio Hotel

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to a welfare check at Rio Hotel & Casino around 10:45 a.m. Sunday. Officers knocked and called out but received no response, clearing the call after 15-20 minutes. Family and friends later contacted hotel security for further checks. Security entered the room between 2:30-2:37 p.m. PT, discovering Tawnia McGeehan and daughter Addi Smith dead from gunshot wounds. Both pronounced dead at the scene. The incident occurred near the Vegas Strip during the JAMZ National Cheer Competition.

Police Confirmation and Investigation Details

LVMPD held a press conference Monday, with Lt. Robert Price confirming the mother shot her daughter then herself in an apparent murder-suicide. Investigators found a note but withheld its contents. Police described the event as sad and tragic, extending hearts to the family. The ongoing probe examines motivations, with no further details released. LVMPD initially could not confirm the Utah connection, later affirmed by cheer gym sources. Addi missed her Sunday morning cheer session, prompting a missing persons flyer from her gym.

Cheer Community’s Heartbreak and Response

Utah Xtreme Cheer owner Kori Uyetake stated the gym is completely heartbroken, noting Addi will always be part of the UXC family. Fusion All-Star Cheer, Addi’s former gym, expressed devastation over losing their former athlete. JAMZ event host Jeff Krapf paid tribute to Addi’s joyful smile. The competition continued with a moment of silence honoring Addi. Social media from coaches and users quickly identified the victims, amplifying the shock in this tight-knit youth sports world. Family launched a GoFundMe for funeral expenses.

Impacts and Calls for Welfare Review

The tragedy strikes the Utah cheer community hard, with short-term grief and privacy requests from affected teams. Long-term, it spotlights potential failures in hotel and event welfare protocols during high-profile youth gatherings. Competitive cheer emphasizes family-like bonds, making the loss resonate deeply among athletes and families. No systemic changes indicated yet, but scrutiny may grow on response times. Broader social implications highlight mental health pressures in youth sports, though no political angles noted in reports.