More than six months after 11-year-old Addilyn Smith and her mother were found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ in a Las Vegas H๏τel, newly released records are revealing details that were not available when the case first shocked the public. Addi, a Utah cheerleader, had traveled to Las Vegas with her mother, 34-year-old Tawnia McGeehan, for a compeтιтion. Instead of joining her teammates on the compeтιтion floor, she became the subject of a welfare check that ultimately led investigators to the Rio H๏τel & Casino.

McGeehan and Addi arrived in Las Vegas on Feb. 13. Two days later, Addi did not show up for her scheduled compeтιтion. Concern spread among people who knew the family, and authorities were contacted. Addi’s father also sought help after he was unable to reach his daughter and former wife. Police went to the H๏τel room, attempted to make contact and later returned after concerns remained. H๏τel personnel eventually entered the room and discovered the mother and daughter ᴅᴇᴀᴅ.

The coroner’s investigation concluded that McGeehan sH๏τ Addi and then died by suicide. Addi’s death was classified as a homicide, while McGeehan’s was classified as a suicide. Both died from gunsH๏τ wounds. A handgun was recovered in the room, and the bodies were found together on a bed.

The scene contained several handwritten notes. One was placed near the entrance, where investigators found a chair positioned in front of the door. The note warned people to call 911 before entering and stated that two ᴅᴇᴀᴅ bodies were inside, including an 11-year-old. Another note reportedly referred to Addi as having been heavily medicated before her death.

Toxicology testing later showed multiple substances in both mother and daughter. Investigators documented prescription medication containers, empty capsules, sleep aids and THC gummies. The forensic findings have received significant attention because they provide new information about the condition of the two before their deaths. Still, the official medical conclusion remained that the fatal injuries were gunsH๏τ wounds, not drug overdoses.

The records also reveal that McGeehan had a history of serious depression and previous suicidal thoughts, according to information provided by family members to investigators. Separately, court records show that she and Addi’s father had been involved in a lengthy custody dispute. McGeehan had previously lost custody of Addi before later obtaining a joint custody arrangement. Those circumstances have been documented in connection with the investigation, but officials have not announced a single definitive motive for the killings.

The case had already drawn attention because of the circumstances surrounding the cheer compeтιтion. The young athlete’s absence was what initially triggered concern. Her teammates were expecting her, her family could not reach her and eventually authorities were asked to check the H๏τel room. The sequence demonstrates how quickly an ordinary compeтιтion weekend turned into a tragedy that would later produce months of investigation and forensic review.

The September records do not provide every answer. They do, however, give the public a substantially clearer picture of the evidence investigators encountered: the handwritten warning, the firearm, the medications and substances, the toxicology results and the official determinations about how the mother and daughter died. The story that began with an 11-year-old cheerleader failing to appear at a compeтιтion has now become a detailed record of a devastating crime whose final moments remain known only in part.

Source: https://nypost.com/2026/09/16/us-news/disturbing-way-cheerleader-11-was-found-ᴅᴇᴀᴅ-after-utah-dance-mom-killed-her-in-murder-suicide-at-H๏τel/