Mother and daughter found dead in Vegas hotel

Tawnia McGeehan, 34, and her 11-year-old daughter Addi Smith were discovered dead in their Rio Hotel and Casino room on February 15 after Addi failed to appear at a cheerleading competition.

They traveled for Addi's cheer tournament

McGeehan and Addi had traveled from Utah to Las Vegas on February 13 so Addi could compete with her team, Utah Xtreme Cheer, at a cheerleading tournament.

Warning note found blocking the door

Hotel security discovered a chair blocking the door with a handwritten note that read, 'Call 911 before walking in. Two dead bodies and one is an 11-year-old.'

“Call 911 before walking in. Two dead bodies and one is an 11-year-old.”

Daughter was heavily medicated beforehand

Investigators found notes indicating Addi had been 'very medicated' before her death. Multiple prescription bottles, sleep aids, THC gummies, and empty gabapentin capsules were recovered from the room.

Mother ruled to have died by suicide

The coroner ruled McGeehan's death a suicide caused by a gunshot wound to the head. A semi-automatic handgun was recovered at the scene.

Mother battling depression and custody fight

Family members said McGeehan suffered severe depression and significant distress from a prolonged custody battle with her ex-husband. She had temporarily lost custody in 2020 before reaching a joint custody agreement in 2024.