‘SOMETHING WAS OFF’ 

Shocking details reveal horror last days of cheerleader daughter found dead with mom in Las Vegas hotel murder-suicide

CHILLING details have emerged about the final days of a young cheerleader who was found dead with her mom in a Las Vegas hotel room.

Addi Smith, 11, was fatally shot by her mother, Tawnia McGeehan, 38, in a horrific incident described by cops as a murder-suicide.

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Addi Smith and her mom, Tawnia McGeehan, were found dead in a Las Vegas hotel roomCredit: Facebook
 

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Addi Smith, 11, was found shot dead alongside her mom, Tawnia McGeehan, 38, at the Rio Hotel & Casino on SundayCredit: Alamy
The pair had traveled from Utah to attend a cheerleading tournament in Nevada.

“Addi loved her gymnastics, she loved her friends, she always seemed happy no matter what,” Tawnia’s mother, Connie McGeehan, 61, told the New York Post.

The dance mom had been through a tough, nine-year-long custody battle with her ex-husband, Brad Smith, following their divorce, the Post previously reported.

Connie told the NYP that Tawnia had hinted at problems with “one or two” other women with daughters also in the Utah Xtreme Cheer (UXC) team.

“It got really bad a month ago,” she claimed, while adding that Tawnia had “struggled with depression her whole life.”

Despite the alleged clashes, a beaming Addi’s last moments were captured in photos.

Tawnia shared snaps of her girl performing backflips in their hotel room at the weekend.

Tragically, they would both be found dead hours later.

Their bodies were discovered in their room at the Rio Hotel & Casino following multiple welfare calls to security officers and police.

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Tawnia McGeehan had gone through a bitter custody battle for Addi following her divorceCredit: Facebook
Homicide detectives at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) have been investigating the suspected murder-suicide since their bodies were found on Sunday afternoon.

“Detectives were able to determine the mother shot her daughter before shooting herself,” said a police report.

Family members and friends had initially reported the pair as missing.

They were last seen in person at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino at about 8pm on Saturday, according to a missing persons notice.

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Addi Smith loved her gymnastics and always seemed happy, said a relativeCredit: Facebook
The missing persons flyer was posted and shared across social media.

“One of our athletes and her mom are currently missing from Las Vegas,” said Utah Xtreme Cheer, a Salt Lake City-based cheer team.

“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.”

Addi’s stepmom, McKennly Smith, shared the plea for help.

“My daughter Addi and her mom [are] missing please share post and call or text with any information thank you!” she said.

LVMPD Homicide Lt. Robert Price told a press conference that officers had gone to the hotel for a welfare check at 10:45am on Sunday.

“Officers arrived, met with security, went up to the room, and knocked several times, and called into the room, without any answer,” he said.

They were there for about 15 minutes, knocking and calling.

“Unfortunately at that point of time we didn’t have enough information to make entry,” he added.

Tributes for Addi Smith, 11, the cheerleader who was killed in a Las Vegas hotel room

“Our sweet athlete Addi has passed away,” said Utah Xtreme Cheer.

“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.”

Addi “was absolutely loved in our gym,” said Utah Fusion All-Stars, a competitive cheerleading group.

The girl “will always be remembered for her sweet smile and light that she brought to her teams.”

“Security continued to get information from family and friends asking them to attempt to locate the mother and daughter inside the casino.

“At approximately 2.30pm security went back up to the room… they knocked several times… without success.

“Security decided to make entry into the room, where they located two deceased females.”

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Addi Smith and her mom, Tawnia McGeehan had been reported missingCredit: Facebook
The police were “immediately called” to the scene, and the room was “secured.”

“It appears the mother and daughter came here for a dance competition,” Lt. Price added.

“At some time… the mother shot her daughter and then shot herself.

“This is a sad and tragic incident and our hearts go out to the family.”

He confirmed that a note had been left at the scene, and that a firearm had been used – but declined to say what type.

Lt. Price also said that no one staying in neighboring rooms had reported hearing any gunfire from their room, or any arguments.

Connie told the Post she was not aware that her daughter owned a gun.

However, she has since learned that Tawnia bought a firearm “over a year ago.”

Autopsies are being carried out by the Clark County Coroner’s Office.

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Addi Smith’s body was tragically discovered at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on SundayCredit: Facebook