Update Feb. 17
The Clark County Coroner's Office has confirmed the identities of the woman and
pre-teen daughter found dead at the Rio Hotel & Casino Sunday as 34-year-old Tawnia McGeehan and the daughter, 11-year-old Addilyn Smith.
Family members and friends initially reported the pair missing, identifying them as Tawnia McGeehan and Addi Smith. A missing person's flyer quickly gained traction on social media before the tragic discovery.
According to the Coroner's Office, the manner of death for the mother was suicide by a gunshot shot to the head. The cause and manner of death for Addilyn are currently pending.
Channel 13 has also learned from court records that McGeehan had been involved in multiple legal disputes over custody of her daughter.
Dating back to at least 2018, in separate cases filed in Sandy and West Jordan, Utah, she was charged with custodial interference allegations that she withheld Addi from her father's court-ordered visitation.
One case was dismissed in 2021, but records indicate custody arrangements shifted several times between the parents over the years.
Original story
Homicide detectives with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department are investigating a suspected murder-suicide at a resort west of the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday.
Police have confirmed a woman and her preteen daughter were found dead inside a hotel room at the Rio Hotel & Casino on Sunday.
Family members and friends initially reported the pair missing, identifying them as Tawnia McGeehan and Addi Smith. A missing persons flyer shared on social media states the two were last seen at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino around 8 p.m. Saturday.
LVMPD Homicide Lt. Robert Price confirmed police were initially alerted when they were asked to check the welfare of a mother and her daughter at the Rio Hotel & Casino around 10:45 a.m. on Sunday.
WATCH: Lt. Robert Price shares details of the investigation and what police have found so far:
Price says police knocked on the hotel room door several times and called the room without any answer. Hotel security was advised, and officers left the hotel, Price said.
Continued outreach from concerned family members and friends prompted hotel security to return to the room to attempt to locate the mother and daughter again on Sunday afternoon, Price said. They forced their way into the room and found the mother and daughter dead. Homicide detectives have since been dispatched to investigate.
At this time, Price said police can confirm the mother and daughter were in Las Vegas for a dance or cheer competition.
At some point on Saturday night, investigators believe the mother shot her daughter and then herself, Price said. He described the circumstances as "sad and tragic" and said investigators' hearts go out to the family members of both the woman and child.
Utah Xtreme Cheer, a Salt Lake City-based cheer team, shared a plea on social media for members of the public to help locate McGeehan and Smith on Sunday.
"One of our athletes and her mom are currently missing from Las Vegas," they wrote in part. "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."
Price added that a note was found as part of the investigation, but he was not at liberty to elaborate on its contents.
Utah Xtreme Cheer has since posted a statement to share "the devastating news that our sweet athlete Addi has passed away."
"We are completely heartbroken. No words do the situation justice," the organization stated. "Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers and continue to send them love as they navigate this unimaginable loss."
A spokesperson for the Rio Hotel & Casino issued the following statement to Channel 13:
We are aware of the incident that occurred at the resort. All inquiries regarding the situation should be directed to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, as they are handling the investigation.”
This is a developing story. We will share updates as we learn additional information.
If you or someone you care about is feeling hopeless or in crisis, reaching out could save a life.
You can call or text 988 to reach the national crisis prevention hotline, which offers 24/7, free and confidential support.
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