In Loving Memory of Tawnia McGeehan and Addi Smith
It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that we remember Tawnia McGeehan and her daughter, Addi Smith, both of West Jordan, Utah, whose lives were tragically cut short on February 14, 2026, in Las Vegas. The pair had traveled to Nevada to participate in a cheerleading competition with Utah Xtreme Cheer, a team they cherished, but never returned home from their trip. Their untimely passing has left an unimaginable void in the hearts of their family, friends, teammates, and the broader community.
According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, officers were first called around 10:45 a.m. for a welfare check after Tawnia and Addi failed to show up for their scheduled cheer competition. Concerned for their safety, hotel staff and police knocked on their room door multiple times and called out their names, but there was no response.
Later that afternoon, around 2:30 p.m., hotel security attempted again to make contact. When there was still no response, they entered the room, only to discover the devastating scene: both mother and daughter were deceased. Investigators indicated that Tawnia had tragically taken the life of her daughter Addi before taking her own. A note was reportedly found in the room, providing context to the tragedy, though the details remain private out of respect for the family.
The pair had last been seen on the evening of February 14 at approximately 8:00 p.m. at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. They had been attending a cheerleading competition with Utah Xtreme Cheer, and their vehicle remained in the hotel parking lot, sparking initial concern when neither arrived for the next day’s event.
The Utah cheerleading organization posted on social media at the time, asking for assistance in locating them, emphasizing the worry and concern that spread rapidly through the cheer community. “This is not the post we ever wanted to make, but we need the cheer community’s help,” the team wrote. Their words reflected the collective shock, grief, and desperate hope that any parent or teammate would feel when a loved one goes missing.
Tawnia McGeehan and Addi Smith were more than their tragic end. Tawnia, a devoted mother, loved her daughter fiercely and shared countless precious moments with her. Addi, a young athlete full of energy, passion, and ambition, had devoted herself to cheerleading, inspiring her teammates with her spirit and determination. Together, they were a cherished duo whose presence touched the lives of those around them, from family and friends to the broader cheerleading community.
Though their lives were taken far too soon, their memory remains. The family, friends, and teammates of Tawnia and Addi are left to mourn the unimaginable loss, but they also hold onto the joy, love, and laughter that defined these two remarkable individuals. Their story is a reminder of the fragility of life, the importance of compassion, and the need to support one another in times of hardship.
As we reflect on the lives of Tawnia and Addi, may the community find ways to honor their memory — whether through acts of kindness, cherishing loved ones, or supporting young athletes in their dreams. Though their presence is no longer with us, the impact of their lives will endure in the hearts and memories of everyone who knew and loved them.
Rest in peace, Tawnia McGeehan and Addi Smith. Your love, your light, and your spirit will never be forgotten.
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