Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) homicide detectives are investigating a possible murder-suicide that occurred at a resort west of the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday.

Authorities found a woman and her preteen daughter dead inside a hotel room at the Rio Hotel & Casino after the young girl was reported missing by her cheer team when she failed to show up to the competition. They believe the mother is responsible for this shocking and tragic incident. 

Missing Mother and Daughter

The mother and daughter were identified by family and friends who reported them missing. Tawnia McGeehan and Addi Smith were supposedly last seen at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino on Las Vegas Boulevard around 8 p.m. on Saturday. A missing persons flyer was shared on social media to help their loved ones locate them.

LVMPD Homicide Lieutenant Robert Price said they were asked to conduct a welfare check of a mother and daughter at the Rio Hotel & Casino the morning of February 15, 2026. They arrived at the hotel around 10:45 a.m. and knocked on their hotel room door several times and called to anyone inside, but got no response. Authorities alerted hotel security to the interaction and left the hotel.

Family members and friends grew concerned and continued to reach out for help, and hotel security eventually returned to the room on Sunday afternoon to locate the mother and daughter. They forced their way into the room, where, unfortunately, they found the pair dead. Homicide detectives were immediately dispatched to the hotel to investigate the situation. 

There is not much information that can be provided at this time, as this is an ongoing investigation. However, Price confirmed the mother and daughter were visiting Las Vegas for a cheer competition. Authorities allege that at some point Saturday night, the mother shot her daughter before turning the gun on herself. Price described the circumstances as “sad and tragic.” The investigators express their condolences to the family members of the two, Price said.

Cheer Team Devastated

A Salt Lake City-based cheer team took to social media to plead for the location of McGeehan and Smith on Sunday. “One of our athletes and her mom are currently missing from Las Vegas,” Utah Xtreme Cheer wrote. “They did not arrive to competition today, and we have been unable to contact them. At this point, we are extremely worried. Police have been contacted.”

Following the findings of the mother and daughter, the team shared another statement that they heard “the devastating news that our sweet athlete Addi has passed away.“

“We are completely heartbroken. No words do the situation justice,” the team stated. “Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers and continue to send them love as they navigate this unimaginable loss.”

Las Vegas Authorities Continue Investigation

While this is an ongoing investigation, many are confused about the situation and the events leading up to the shooting. Not much is known to the public, but Price revealed there was a note found during the initial investigation of the crime scene. He said he is not at liberty to share the contents of the note, but it will help them determine a motive behind the tragic incident.