A mom fatally shot her cheerleader daughter in a Las Vegas hotel room and then turned the gun on herself in a tragic murder-suicide, cops said.
Their bodies were discovered in a room at Rio Hotel & Casino on Sunday alongside an apparent suicide note after the pair failed to show up for a cheer competition, according to authorities.
Police haven’t released their names but confirmed the mom and daughter were in town for the cheer meet.
Utah Xtreme Cheer had earlier put out a plea on social media saying that one of the team members, Addi Smith, and her mom, Tawnia McGeehan, had vanished in Sin City ahead of the comp.
The cheer team later put out an update revealing that the pre-teen, who lived in Salt Lake City, had “passed away” soon after cops made the grim hotel room discovery.
“With the heaviest hearts, we share the devastating news that our sweet athlete Addi has passed away,” the cheer team said in a statement.
“We are completely heartbroken. No words do the situation justice. She was so beyond loved, and she will always be a part of the UXC family.”
Police believe the mom, who they only described as being in her 30s, fatally shot her daughter sometime late Saturday before turning the gun on herself.
A note was found in the hotel room, cops said. Homicide detectives are still probing the case.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
