New details emerge in case of apparent murder-suicide of mom, daughter at Las Vegas cheerleading tournament

LAS VEGAS (TCN) -- New details have emerged in connection with an apparent murder-suicide in which a 34-year-old woman allegedly shot her 11-year-old daughter before turning the gun on herself. 

The bodies of Tawnia McGeehan and her daughter, Addi Smith, were discovered in a hotel room at a cheerleading tournament on Feb. 15. The pair was from Utah and was in Las Vegas for the tournament.

Police were called to conduct a welfare check after Smith did not show up, and numerous social media posts and calls searching for the pair were unsuccessful. A note was found at the scene, but at the time, police did not reveal its contents. Investigators learned McGeehan had been in the midst of a custody dispute with Smith’s father for many years.

According to KVVU, additional details and context into the deaths have been revealed thanks to newly released records from the Clark County Coroner’s Office. According to the coroner’s report, first responders found a chair blocking the entrance to the room. A note on the chair read, “Call 911 before walking in. Two dead bodies and one is an 11-year-old.”

Inside the room, detectives allegedly found bottles for prescription and over-the-counter medications including sleep aids, THC gummies, and empty capsules that had contained gabapentin. According to KVVU, a cup with white residue inside was allegedly found in the trash. Other notes were found that allegedly indicated that Smith had been “heavily medicated” before the deaths.

KTVX reports that according to the coroner’s report, McGeehan was “severely depressed over breakups and [an] ongoing custody battle with her ex-husband.” 

Both Smith and McGeehan died of gunshot wounds, but toxicology evidence was also collected at the time the autopsies were performed, according to KTVX. McGeehan’s system was positive for positive for cannabinoids, caffeine, eszopiclone/zopiclone, quetiapine, Benadryl, an SSRI, desmethyl loperamide, gabapentin, and lorazepam. Smith tested positive for caffeine, quetiapine, Benadryl, gabapentin, and lorazepam.

According to her obituary, “Addi was a bright light in the life of everyone who knew her. In her short time here, from the moment she was born, she was an easy baby, toddler, and kid. She was always content with her small world and circle of friends and family. Addi never wanted or needed much in life. She was simply always happy. She had a spirit that sparkled as brightly as her smile. Wherever she went, she brought energy, laughter, and love. Her passion for cheerleading filled her days with excitement and purpose.”

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