The tragic discovery inside a Las Vegas hotel room has shocked communities in Utah and beyond: the bodies of 38-year-old Tawnia McGeehan and her 11-year-old daughter, Addi Smith (also known as Addilyn Smith), found in what authorities have classified as a murder-suicide. Amid the heartbreak, one seemingly minor piece of evidence—a crumpled hotel letterhead recovered from a trash can—has emerged as a potentially pivotal clue. The paper bore handwriting pressed so deeply that it left visible indentations on underlying sheets, a forensic detail now drawing attention in the investigation.

This case, unfolding in February 2026 at the Rio Hotel & Casino, blends elements of long-standing family strife, mental health struggles, and the high-pressure world of competitive youth cheerleading. While police have not released full details on the letterhead’s contents, its condition suggests it may contain a suicide note, a final message, or other writings that could shed light on McGeehan’s state of mind in her last moments.

The Events Leading to the Discovery

Tawnia McGeehan and Addi Smith traveled from West Jordan, Utah, to Las Vegas for a cheer competition with the Utah Xtreme Cheer team. Addi, an energetic and talented young athlete, was part of the squad, and the trip was meant to be a celebratory outing. However, the pair failed to appear at the event on Sunday morning, February [date approximate based on reports], prompting alarm among teammates, coaches, and family.

Utah Xtreme Cheer posted a public plea on social media, sharing a flyer and urging anyone with information to come forward. Family members, increasingly worried, requested a welfare check from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD). Officers arrived at the Rio Hotel & Casino around 10:45 a.m. but received no response after knocking and calling out. They left the scene temporarily, handing the matter to hotel security.

Around 2:27 p.m., security personnel entered the room and discovered the unresponsive bodies. Both had apparent gunshot wounds. Paramedics pronounced them dead at the scene. Homicide detectives quickly determined the incident was a murder-suicide: McGeehan had fatally shot her daughter before turning the firearm on herself.

A note was found in the room, though authorities have declined to disclose its exact contents or location publicly. Reports indicate investigators combed the space thoroughly, including the trash receptacles. It was here that the crumpled piece of hotel letterhead was recovered—discarded but not destroyed. The paper, standard stationery provided by the Rio, showed heavy indentations from forceful writing. Forensic examiners noted that the pressure had transferred impressions to any sheets beneath it, a classic sign of someone writing with intense emotion or determination. Such indentations can often be deciphered using oblique lighting or specialized imaging techniques, even if the top sheet is missing or discarded.

This detail has fueled speculation that the letterhead contained a farewell message, explanation, or apology—common in suicide cases involving homicide. While no official confirmation has linked it directly to a suicide note, its recovery from the trash underscores the methodical nature of the scene processing and highlights how overlooked items can become crucial.

(An image of the Rio Hotel & Casino exterior in Las Vegas, where the tragedy occurred.)

A Decade of Custody Turmoil

The backdrop to this devastating event is a protracted custody battle between McGeehan and Addi’s father, Bradley (Brad) Smith, spanning nearly nine years. Divorce proceedings began in 2015, shortly before Addi’s first birthday, and were finalized in 2017 in Utah’s 4th District Court.

Court records reveal a contentious history. In 2020, a judge temporarily awarded Brad Smith sole physical custody, citing concerns including McGeehan’s alleged commission of domestic abuse in Addi’s presence and behaviors suggestive of parental alienation—actions that sought to undermine the child’s relationship with her father. Detailed exchange protocols were imposed, specifying locations, times, and conditions for handoffs to minimize conflict.

The arrangement evolved over time. Commissioners and judges recommended a shift toward 50/50 parenting time on a week-on, week-off schedule. By May 2024, a modification order granted joint legal and joint physical custody, seemingly resolving the long dispute. McGeehan’s family described this as a turning point, noting she appeared to be improving after years of depression.

Yet, underlying tensions persisted. McGeehan reportedly struggled with mental health issues throughout her life, including depression. In the weeks leading up to the trip, sources close to the family indicated she received hostile messages from one or two other parents on the cheer team—women whose daughters were also competitors. These “mean” texts reportedly contributed to her distress, exacerbating feelings of isolation in the high-stakes, often cliquey environment of competitive cheer.

Addi, described by friends and coaches as sweet, talented, and full of life, was caught in the middle. Tributes from her cheer gyms, including Utah Xtreme Cheer and Utah Fusion All-Stars, poured in after the news broke, with posts mourning the loss of a bright young athlete.

(Photo of Addi Smith in her cheer uniform, smiling during a performance.)

The Role of the Crumpled Letterhead in Forensic Context

In cases like this, discarded writings—especially those with indented impressions—carry significant evidentiary weight. The technique of recovering indented handwriting has been used in notable investigations, from ransom notes to suicide letters. Here, the hotel letterhead’s condition suggests urgency: the writer pressed hard enough to leave marks on subsequent pages, perhaps while drafting or rewriting thoughts.

Investigators likely photographed and analyzed the item immediately. If the indentations reveal text—be it a goodbye to loved ones, expressions of regret, or references to ongoing struggles—it could provide insight into motive. Police have remained tight-lipped, stating only that a note was part of the scene. The trash can recovery adds a layer of poignancy: in a moment of finality, something was deemed unworthy of leaving visible, yet its physical traces endured.

This detail also raises broader questions about mental health intervention. Welfare checks occurred, but entry was delayed. The crumpled paper, now central, symbolizes how subtle signs of crisis can be hidden in plain sight.

Broader Implications and Community Response

The tragedy has reverberated through Utah’s cheer community, with gyms closing temporarily in mourning and counselors offering support. Addi’s uncle, a sergeant with the Salem Police Department, received public condolences from colleagues.

Experts note that murder-suicides involving parents and children often stem from perceived loss of control—over custody, relationships, or personal stability. Here, the recent resolution of the custody case may have paradoxically intensified pressure, especially amid cheer team conflicts and lifelong depression.

As the investigation continues, the indented hotel letterhead stands as a haunting reminder: even in despair, traces remain. For Addi’s father, extended family, and friends, answers may come slowly, but the focus remains on honoring a young life cut short.

This case underscores the need for greater awareness of mental health in high-pressure extracurriculars and post-divorce co-parenting. Addi Smith deserved a future filled with flips, cheers, and joy—not this unimaginable end.