A heartbreaking murder-suicide occurred over the weekend at the Rio Hotel & Casino on West Flamingo Road in Las Vegas. Tawnia McGeehan fatally shot her daughter, Addi Smith, before turning the gun on herself. Both were found dead from gunshot wounds on Sunday, February 15, 2026, after missing a cheer competition.
Timeline and Discovery
- Welfare Check: LVMPD officers responded around 11 a.m. but got no answer after knocking; they cleared the scene initially.
- Entry and Discovery: Hotel security rechecked around 2:27 p.m., entered the room, found them unresponsive, and called 911. They were pronounced dead on-site.
- Evidence: A note was found; preliminary investigation confirms the mother shot her daughter first, then herself. Motive under review.
Community Response
Utah Xtreme Cheer, Addi’s Salt Lake City-based team, shared their grief on Facebook, calling her “so beyond loved.” A family GoFundMe is raising funeral funds amid the shock. LVMPD Lt. Robert Price called it a “sad and tragic incident.”
Contact LVMPD Homicide at 702-828-3521 or [email protected] with tips; anonymous via Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or www.crimestoppersofnv.com. Deepest sympathies to the family and cheer community.
