Mother Fatally Shoots Daughter Before Taking Own Life, Police Say

LAS VEGAS — A 38-year-old mother and her daughter, a young cheerleader, were found dead inside a hotel room at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas in what authorities are treating as an apparent murder-suicide, police confirmed Monday.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police were called to the hotel on Sunday after the pair, who had travelled from Utah to compete in a cheerleading event, missed commitments and could not be reached, according to investigators.

Hotel security later entered the room and discovered both victims unresponsive. Early findings by homicide detectives indicate the mother shot her daughter before turning the weapon on herself. A handwritten note believed to be connected to the incident was also recovered at the scene.

Friends and members of the Utah cheerleading community identified the daughter as a pre-teen competitor with Utah Xtreme Cheer, and confirmed both she and her mother were in Las Vegas for the competition. In social media posts, teammates and coaches expressed shock and sorrow over the deaths.

Police continue their investigation and have not released the names of the victims pending notification of relatives. Officials say there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Authorities urge anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.