Police said on Sunday, Feb. 15, they found the bodies of a mother and daughter in a hotel room following a request for a welfare check

NEED TO KNOW

• Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said on Sunday, Feb. 15, they found the bodies of a mother and daughter in a hotel room
• “Based on the preliminary evidence at the scene, detectives were able to determine the mother shot her daughter before shooting herself,” according to a police press release
• Both were pronounced dead at the scene

A mother fatally shot her daughter before turning the gun on herself in a Las Vegas hotel room over the weekend, according to authorities.

Tawnia McGeehan and her daughter Addi Smith were reported missing after they didn’t show up for a cheer competition, ABC 4 reported.

The pair were found dead in their hotel room at the Rio Hotel & Casino on Sunday, Feb. 15 on West Flamingo Road, according to a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department press release, which did not identify the deceased.

“This is a sad and tragic incident, and our hearts go out to the family,” Lt. Robert Price later said at a press conference.

He also said a note was found at the scene, though a motive for the killing is "still part of our investigation."

According to police, officers received a request for a welfare check just before 11 a.m. Sunday.

“Patrol officers along with security personnel for the property attempted to contact the two,” according to the press release. “Officers knocked on the door and called into the room several times but did not get a response. Based on the details at the time, there was no belief that either was in danger and officers cleared.”

However, hotel security received additional requests to check on the mother and daughter and later entered their room around 2:27 p.m., per the release.

They were found unresponsive and security called 911.

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Both were suffering from apparent gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

“Based on the preliminary evidence at the scene, detectives were able to determine the mother shot her daughter before shooting herself,” according to the press release.

Utah Xtreme Cheer, a Salt Lake City-based cheer team, posted about Addi’s death on Facebook.

“With the heaviest hearts, we share the devastating news that our sweet athlete Addi has passed away,” the post read. "We are completely heartbroken. No words do the situation justice. She was so beyond loved, and she will always be a part of the UXC family. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers and continue to send them love as they navigate this unimaginable loss.”

A GoFundMe page set up by a family member to help pay for funeral expenses said the "heartbreaking event has left the family in deep shock and grief, struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of Addi in such a way."

Anyone with any information about the murder-suicide is asked to contact the LVMPD Homicide Section by phone at 702-828-3521, or by email at homicide@lvmpd.com. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555, or on the internet at www.crimestoppersofnv.com.

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