Utah cheer gym responds to loss of Addi Smith after apparent murder-suicide in Las Vegas
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — The Utah cheerleading community mourns the passing of Addi Smith, who has been confirmed by her coach as the young girl killed in Las Vegas while attending a cheerleading competition.
Las Vegas Metro Police said in a press release that this event is being investigated as a murder-suicide. They said a mother shot her daughter and then herself. Police did not release the names of the victims. Social media users, family members and both current and former coaches identified Addi as the victim, and her mother, Tawnia McGeegan, as the other deceased.
In a press release, Kori Uyetake, owner of Utah Xtreme Cheer, said:
“With the heaviest hearts, we share the devastating news that our sweet athlete Addi has passed away. 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. We ask that you respect their privacy during this time. Addi, we love you tremendously.”
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Members of the Utah Xtreme Cheer team were in Las Vegas for the JAMZ National Cheer Competition.
Uyetake, who was at another competition at the time, told 2News that when Addi did not show up to the competition on Sunday morning, they began to get worried, but did not imagine this would be the outcome.
The cheer studio put out a missing persons flyer on social media, asking for the community’s help.
Police in West Jordan told 2News they were contacted by Las Vegas police for an agency assist to search for the missing mother and daughter.
At 2:37 p.m. PT, Las Vegas police entered the hotel room and found two unresponsive females suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
The competition, which continued Monday, started the final day by honoring Addi with a moment of silence.
Jeff Krapf, the event’s host, led the room with a speech, reminding the audience to “think of her smile, the kind that showed up before the music even started. The kind that made practices lighter, competitions like this brighter. The kind that reminded all of us why we fell in love with the sport in the first place.”
Fusion All-Star Cheer, a cheerleading team Addi was formerly a member of, shared its own statement on Facebook, saying:
“We are completely heartbroken by the loss of our former athlete Addi. She was absolutely loved in our gym and it was a privilege to be a part of her life. She will always be remembered for her sweet smile and light that she brought to her teams and to our gym.”
Members of the cheerleading community across the country shared their shock and condolences online, many remarking on how tight-knit cheer teams are and how Addi’s passing will affect many young athletes.
A GoFundMe has been started by Addi’s uncle to help support her family and cover funeral expenses.
“This 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. In the midst of this tragedy, we are reaching out to the community to help Brad and his family navigate the difficult days ahead.”
The stepmom of the young cheerleader who was killed by her mother in a Las Vegas hotel posted a haunting plea for help before the 11-year-old and troubled “dance mom” were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide.
“My daughter Addi and her mom [are] missing please share post and call or text with any information thank you!” McKennly Smith posted on Facebook with a missing persons poster.
The poster shows Addi Smith and her mom, 38-year-old Tawnia McGeehan, smiling in a photo together, and lists their last known location as the New York New York Hotel in Las Vegas.
Alarmed cheer team members contacted police on Sunday after the mom and daughter failed to show up for Addi’s cheer competition.
Cops visited their room at the Rio Hotel & Casino around 10:45 a.m., but left after not getting a response at the door and having no indication either was in danger, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said.
Family members continued to press police and hotel officials to check on the room. Hotel security decided to enter the room and discovered Addi and McGeehan shot dead roughly four hours after police had left.
McGeehan, who was embroiled in a bitter custody dispute with her ex-husband, Brad Smith, had left behind an apparent suicide note, according to police.
Addi was a cheerleader for Xtreme Cheer, which was devastated by her death.
“No words do the situation justice. She was so beyond loved, and she will always be a part of the UXC family,” the cheer team said.
