Police who discovered the bodies of Tawnia McGeehan and her daughter Addi Smith at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, called the case “a sad and tragic incident”
A mum shot dead her daughter and then herself in a hotel room, police say.
When Tawnia McGeehan and her daughter Addi Smith failed to turn up for a cheerleading competition on the weekend, authorities in Las Vegas, Nevada, led a search for the pair. Police found Tawnia and Addi dead in their room at the Rio Hotel and Casino in the city, and also discovered a note.
Tributes have poured in for the relatives, including from Utah Xtreme Cheer for which little Addi represented in cheerleading. A GoFundMe appeal has also been launched to help family members.
Speaking to reporters about the heartbreaking case, Police Lieutenant Robert Price, of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, said: “This is a sad and tragic incident, and our hearts go out to the family.” He added a motive for the killing is “still part of our investigation.”
According to police, officers received a request for a welfare check just before 11am on Sunday. The police press release reads: “Patrol officers along with security personnel for the property attempted to contact the two. Officers knocked on the door and called into the room several times but did not get a response. Based on the details at the time, there was no belief that either was in danger and officers cleared.”
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But hotel security received additional requests to check on the mother and daughter and later entered their room around 2.27pm, per the press release. Tawnia and Addi were found unresponsive and security called 911.
Both were suffering from apparent gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Their statement continued: “Based on the preliminary evidence at the scene, detectives were able to determine the mother shot her daughter before shooting herself.”
Writing on Facebook, Utah Xtreme Cheer said: “With the heaviest hearts, we share the devastating news that our sweet athlete Addi has passed away. 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. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers and continue to send them love as they navigate this unimaginable loss.”
People who follow Utah Xtreme Cheer, which is in Salt Lake City, offered their thoughts to the family, who are said to be suffering “unimaginable” pain. Any money raised through the GoFundMe page will be used to pay for Tawnia and Addi’s funerals. The appeal states “a heartbreaking event has left the family in deep shock and grief, struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of Addi in such a way.”