A 'dance mom' murdered her pre-teen cheerleader daughter inside their Las Vegas hotel room before turning the gun on herself, police said.
The bodies of the two were found inside a room in the Rio Hotel & Casino on Sunday in what police are treating as a murder suicide.
The mother and daughter's identities have not been confirmed by officials.
Utah news outlets KUTV and Fox 13 have both linked the murder-suicide to local woman Tawnia McGeehan, 38, and her daughter Addi Smith, who were reported missing on February 14 after traveling to Vegas for a dance contest.
Shortly after officials in Vegas announced the deaths of the mother and daughter inside the Rio, Utah Xtreme Cheer troupe shared a tribute to Smith saying she had 'passed away'.
They 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.
Dancing troupe Utah Xtreme Cheer pleaded for help in finding Tawnia McGeehan, 38, and her daughter Addi Smith, both seen here.
In a later post to their Facebook, Utah Xtreme Cheer paid tribute to Addi as they confirmed she had passed away.
'We ask that you respect their privacy during this time. Addi, we love you tremendously.'
It is unclear how old Addi is, with the youngster only being described as a 'pre-teen' by investigators.
Police said they received a welfare check call on Sunday morning inside the resort.
After arriving on the scene they knocked on the door and called into the room for over 15 minutes before leaving.
Security inside the hotel then went up to the room in the early afternoon after receiving calls from the family of the two.
They too knocked on the door and after not hearing any response decided to enter, finding the two dead inside.
Police said that the mother shot her daughter then herself. They added that they did not receive any reports of gunshots.
A note was left in the room, its contents have not yet been made public, with police continuing to investigate.
Police made the grim discovery inside the Rio hotel over the weekend.
A note was left in the room, its contents have not yet been made public, with police continuing to investigate.
Utah Fusion All-Stars, another group, also shared a tribute to Addi 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.
'We are sending love and prayers to her family, to our cheer family, and to the UXC Cheer Family at this time.'