11-year-old Addi Smith and her mother, 34-year-old Tawnia McGeehan, were tragically discovered deceased on Sunday, February 15. Addi was a cheerleader from an All-star team at Utah Xtreme Cheer, and was in Las Vegas eagerly awaiting an upcoming competition.
From the New York Post, ¨Tawnia McGeehan, 38 had been having problems with öne or two”other women with daughters in the Utah Xtreme Cheer (UXC) team…¨ It was apparent that tensions had been growing between the cheer moms, and when Addi didn’t show at the competition that morning, the team requested a welfare check on Smith and her mother. The Las Vegas metropolitan police arrived at the Rio Hotel & Casino at around 10:45 a.m, where the two were staying, and proceeded to knock several times before leaving. According to Patrick Reill, “Family members continued to press police and hotel officials to check on the room. Hotel security decided to enter the room and discovered Addi and McGeehan shot dead.” UXC posted on the matter saying, “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. We ask that you respect their privacy during this time. Addi, we love you tremendously.”
This devastating story from as close as West Jordan brings us down to earth into remembering how far kindness and compassion will go into protecting the ones that we love, and uplifting everyone around us.
Help is available.
988 Lifeline – If you need emotional support, reach out to the…
Addi’s uncle has commenced a GoFundMe to help with the funeral and support her family.
Works Cited
Burt, Spencer. “Daughter, Mom Found Dead from Apparent Murder-Suicide in Las Vegas Hotel Room.” FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU), 16 Feb. 2026, www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/daughter-mom-found-dead-from-apparent-murder-suicide-in-las-vegas-hotel-room. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Diaz, McKenzie. “Utah Cheer Community Honors 11-Year-Old Killed in Apparent Murder Suicide with Blue and Pink Memorial.” ABC4 Utah, 17 Feb. 2026, www.abc4.com/news/wasatch-front/utah-cheer-community-memorial-addi-smith/. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
https://www.facebook.com/peoplemag. “Mom Who Killed Cheerleader Daughter in Hotel during Tournament Had Lost Custody of Her for Years.” People.com, 2026, people.com/cheer-mom-who-killed-daughter-inside-las-vegas-hotel-room-had-lost-custody-years-11908858.
Kelleher, Liv. “Utah Cheer Gym Responds to Loss of Addi Smith after Apparent Murder-Suicide in Las Vegas.” KUTV, 17 Feb. 2026, kutv.com/news/local/utah-cheer-gym-responds-to-loss-of-addi-smith-after-apparent-murder-suicide-in-las-vegas.
Vandenack, Tim. “Utah Girl Killed by Mother in Apparent Murder-Suicide Had Been Focus of a Long Custody Dispute.” Ksl.com, ksl.com, 2017, www.ksl.com/article/51449694/utah-girl-killed-by-mother-in-apparent-murder-suicide-had-been-focus-of-a-long-custody-dispute. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
