Tawnia McGeehan & Daughter Addi Smith Die in Reported Murder-Suicide During …

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An unthinkable tragedy has destroyed a family.

Over the weekend, preteen Addi Smith and her mother, Tawnia McGeehan were on a trip for Addi's cheerleading team.

They didn't show to the cheer meet. No one was able to get a hold of them.

Police found the mother and daughter dead in an apparent murder-suicide.

Tawnia McGeehan and Addi Smith died by gunshot wounds over Valentine's Day weekend in an alleged murder-suicide. (Image Credit: 8 News Now)

Our hearts go out to Addi's loved ones

On Sunday, February 15, authorities made a grim discovery at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Mom Tawnia McGeehan and her preteen daughter, Addi Smith, were in the city for a cheer meet.

Addi was part of Utah Xtreme Cheer.

When she did not show up (and her mother did not call) for the competition, her teammates were worried.

From the information at hand, it appears that parents or others with the cheerleading team reached out to other family in search of answers.

The Rio Hotel & Casio in Las Vegas was the site of the alleged murder-suicide. (Image Credit: 8 News Now)

Tawnia and Addi's family were unable to contact them.

Worried, they reached out to authorities and made repeated requests for police to conduct a welfare check on the mother and daughter.

At around 10:45am on Sunday morning, officers and hotel security at the Rio Hotel & Casino visited the room.

There, police uncovered a tragic scene.

They found the bodies of both Tawnia and Addi. Additionally, they found an apparent suicide note.

Police have only disclosed certain details thus far

Both Tawnia and Addi had died by gunshot wounds.

(It remains unclear if anyone in the hotel heard gunshots or reported them)

A homicide investigation is ongoing.

However, based upon their findings, investigators believe that this was a murder-suicide.

They believe that Tawnia fatally shot her daughter on Saturday night and then killed herself.

The alleged murder-suicide is an ongoing investigation, so police limited how much information they shared. (Image Credit: 8 News Now)

The cheer team themselves announced the tragedy — in part — in a public statement.

"With the heaviest hearts, we share the devastating news that our sweet athlete Addi has passed away," the statement shared.

"We are completely heartbroken," the cheer team expressed. "No words do the situation justice."

Speaking of Addi, they affirmed: "She was so beyond loved, and she will always be a part of the UXC family."

The statement did not delve into Tawnia's passing. Given the alleged circumstances, that is understandable.

At first, Tawnia McGeehan and Addi Smith were simply "missing" after they vanished before a cheer meet. (Image Credit: 8 News Now)

What could prompt a murder-suicide like this?

Investigators are likely speaking to family today (and all this week) alongside classmates, school counselors, hotel staff, and fellow cheerleaders.

There is so much that we do not know. And we do need to emphasize that, even if murder-suicide is apparently the likely explanation, sometimes crime scenes (and notes found at them) are misleading.

If you have ever known someone who had a tragedy like this in their family, you know that all that it takes is a heated argument, a loss of control, and easy access to a gun.

It seems unlikely that Tawnia planned this for the trip. (Family annihilators might plan a family trip in advance before a deliberate crime, but it likely wouldn't be to a hotel in the middle of a city)

This is a heartbreaking and devastating tragedy. Addi was so young. And her friends and other loved ones are grappling with shock.

For most of her peers, she is likely the first person they have known who has been murdered — and perhaps their first friend who has died.

Tawnia McGeehan & Daughter Addi Smith Die in Reported Murder-Suicide During … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Robert Duvall Cause of Death: Hollywood Legend Passes Away at 95

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We have sad news to report out of Hollywood today.

Screen legend Robert Duvall has passed away at the age of 95.

News of Duvall's death comes courtesy of a Facebook post from his wife, Luciana.

Actor Robert Duvall arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Mortons on February 27, 2005 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

"Yesterday we said goodbye to my beloved husband, cherished friend, and one of the greatest actors of our time. Bob passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by love and comfort," she wrote, adding:

"To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, a director, a storyteller. To me, he was simply everything. His passion for his craft was matched only by his deep love for characters, a great meal, and holding court.

"For each of his many roles, Bob gave everything to his characters and to the truth of the human spirit they represented. In doing so, he leaves something lasting and unforgettable to us all.

"Thank you for the years of support you showed Bob and for giving us this time and privacy to celebrate the memories he leaves behind."

Actor Robert Duvall attends the 87th Annual Academy Awards Nominee Luncheon at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 2, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

It's impossible to overstate Duvall's impact on American cinema.

From certified classics like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now to comedies like Four Christmases and TV miniseries like Lonesome Dove, Duvall forged a reputation as one of Hollywood's most skilled and versatile actors.

Born in San Diego in 1931, Duvall started his career in various 1950s television anthology series.

He moved on to Broadway and made his film debut as Boo Radley in 1960's To Kill a Mockingbird.

He gained his first widespread critical acclaim for his work in the 1970 comedy M*A*S*H.

Actor Robert Duvall accepts the Oustanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie award for "Broken Trail" onstage during the 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on September 16, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

Over the five decades that followed, Duvall became one of the most acclaimed actors in film history, winning one Academy Award (for 1983's Tender Mercies) and being nominated for six others.

He also won an Emmy (for 2007's Broken Trail) and four Golden Globes.

Duvall met his fourth wife, Luciana, in 2005 during a trip to Argentina.

"The flower shop was closed, so I went to the bakery. If the flower shop had been open, I never would've met her," he told Esquire in 2010.

Duvall admitted that he had reservations about the fact that Luciana was 41 years his junior.

"So I asked Wilford Brimley about it. Wilford is a very sharp guy. He used to be a bodyguard for Howard Hughes," he recalled in the same interview.

"He said, 'Let me tell you something, my friend, the worst thing in the world for an old man is an old woman!'"

Our thoughts go out to Robert Duvall's loved ones as they mourn his loss and honor his legacy.

Robert Duvall Cause of Death: Hollywood Legend Passes Away at 95 was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Nancy Guthrie Is Being Held In Mexico, Informant Claims

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We have another strange development to report in the ongoing Nancy Guthrie saga.

TMZ now claims to have received a fourth email from a person who claims to know Nancy's whereabouts.

And the author of the emails says that they're willing to provide that information for a price.

Nancy and Savannah Guthrie on the set of the 'Today' show. (NBC/YouTube)

The informant has now reiterated that he will tell everything that he knows about Nancy and her kidnappers for the price of one Bitcoin (roughly $66,000).

Though they don't name any specific locations, the informant strongly hints that Nancy is being held in Mexico (or at least that she was being held there as recently as last week).

"I know what I saw 5 days ago south of the border and I was told to shut up so I know who he is and that was definitely Nancy with them," the note reads.

This is not the first time that the informant has suggested that Nancy has been removed from the country.

In a previous email, sent to TMZ on Friday, February 13, the informant wrote, "Be prepared to go International."

Savannah and Nancy Guthrie during one of Nancy's many guest appearances on the 'Today' show. (YouTube)

The reward for information about Nancy is now up to $100,000 — significantly more than what the informant is asking.

So why doesn't he just go to the authorities?

Well, according to TMZ, the informant has a criminal record from a past burglary charge, and he's afraid to come forward as he believes that police will treat him as a suspect.

The logic is a little twisted, as the informant is engaging in an actual crime — aiding and abetting the kidnappers by withholding information — for fear that he'll be falsely accused of a different crime.

TMZ concluded their latest article on the subject with a public plea to the informant:

Nancy Guthrie is still missing, several days after being taken from her home. (YouTube)

"If you are for real, send us the information regarding the whereabouts of Nancy and her kidnappers," the outlet writes, adding:

"We will immediately forward the information to the FBI. If it leads to finding Nancy and/or the kidnappers, you then have a public record that you are the one responsible, thus ensuring you will get the reward.

"The FBI is aware we are making this overture."

As we've previously reported, Nancy — the mother of Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie — was abducted from her home on February 1.

The family has received ransom notes demanding $6 million in Bitcoin in exchange for Nancy's safe return, but it's unclear if the notes are authentic.

We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.

Nancy Guthrie Is Being Held In Mexico, Informant Claims was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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David Archuleta Planned Suicide Before Coming Out, Leaving Mormonism: ‘I’m So …

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His personal journey of faith and sexuality almost claimed his life.

At 17, David Archuleta catapulted to fame on American Idol.

He became something of a poster-boy for the Mormon church — until he came out as queer in 2021.

Now, the ex-Mormon singer is delving into the internalized bigotry that drove him to contemplate suicide when he was still trying to live a lie.

David Archuleta attends GLAAD 2025 Latine Honors on March 25, 2025. (Photo Credit: Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for GLAAD)

'Devout: Losing My Faith to Find Myself'

Archuleta's memoir, Devout: Losing My Faith to Find Myself, is out February 17.

"I always believed something was wrong with me," he recalled to People, speaking of growing up believing that his attraction to men was a "sin."

Archuleta affirmed: "Then I realized I don't have to let other people accept me; I can do that myself. I can accept myself."

He expressed: "I'm just grateful to be alive and to see what I can do with my life while I'm here. It really feels like starting again."

Now 35, his journey to coming out was not an easy or linear one. And he nearly didn't live this long.

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Growing up as a Mormon in Salt Lake City, Archuleta believed that his attraction to both boys and girls was immoral because of the LDS church's homophobia.

"I was taught a lot of things that are wrong and to feel ashamed," he shared. "And I thought feeling ashamed was a godly thing."

Archuleta admitted: "In the back of my head I never believed that I would ever be worthy. I believed nothing would ever make me good enough unless I could change who I was."

Additionally, he says that he continued to live at home as a teen even after his success in music. He describes his father as controlling and both verbally and emotionally abusive.

For whatever it's worth, his father also spoke to People, and believes that his behavior was not abusive. It would be pretty unusual to hear otherwise.

David Archuleta attends the Lambda Legal West Coast Liberty Awards Honoring Dylan Mulvaney and George Takei at The Lot at Formosa on October 24, 2024. (Photo Credit: Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images for Lambda Legal)

Even now, he and his father don't agree on how things were years ago

According to Archuleta, his father — a former musician himself — wanted to have a career vicariously through him as a "puppet." This is not uncommon among people who become famous as children.

By 20, he walked away from music to double down upon his religious practice as a Mormon. He even went on a missionary trip to Chile, where an Elder in his church helped him to identify his father's behavior as abusive.

"I had to learn that just because you love someone doesn't mean you let them treat you in a hurtful way and in a way that belittles you and makes you feel like you're little or nothing," Archuleta shared.

"And it took someone else telling me that," he acknowledged.

Archuleta recalled: "My mission leader was like, 'He may be your dad, but he's not treating you like a son.'"

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A post shared by David Archuleta (@davidarchie)

Even after setting boundaries with his father, which included years spent apart, Archuleta attempted to live a life as a straight man.

This included three engagements to three different women over the years. It also included praying that he would change and simply wake up heterosexual.

"I was almost willing to give my life up because I was so devoted to what I believed," Archuleta shared of having made plans to die by suicide.

Instead, he came out in 2021. Like many (perhaps even most) of the LGBTQ+ community, he has used multiple labels to describe himself, but especially queer — a unifying umbrella term for the community as a whole but also for individuals.

Archuleta would later leave the Mormon church. His mother and other family members also left in solidarity, not wanting to belong to an organization that would condemn their loved one.

David Archuleta attends Human Rights Campaign's 2025 Los Angeles Dinner on March 22, 2025. (Photo Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Human Rights Campaign)

We're so glad that he's still with us and doing so much better

These days, Archuleta is again on speaking terms with his father.

He has been dating men, though he is currently single. And he is open to being with women — as his authentic self, not masquerading as a straight man.

Archuleta says that he is still "unraveling" his personal beliefs and "figuring out" waht sexuality means for him.

"I'm so excited to live life now. Even when it gets hard, I feel like I deserve to live," he affirmed.

Archuleta added: "Maybe someone else needs to hear that. I feel like I am on a mission again."

David Archuleta Planned Suicide Before Coming Out, Leaving Mormonism: 'I'm So … was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Tre Johnson Cause of Death: Former NFL Star Passes Away at 54 During Family Vacation

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We have tragic news to report from the world of sports:

Former NFL star Tre Johnson has passed away at the age of 54.

News of his death comes courtesy of a Facebook post from his wife, Irene Johnson.

Lineman Tre Johnson #77 of the Washington Redskins on the sidelines during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 10, 2002 at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

"His four children, Chloe, EJ, EZ, and Eden, extended family, friends, and I are devastated and in shock," Irene wrote.

"If you know Tre', you know what a devoted and loving father he was to his children," she continued, adding:

"We will miss him so much."

Following a stellar collegiate career at Temple, Johnson was selected in the first round of the NFL draft in 1994.

Johnson spent most of his career in Washington, playing offensive guard for the team that is now the Commanders from 1994 to 2000.

Tre Johnson #77 of the Washington Redskins looks on the field during a game against the Seattle Seahawks at the Kingdome in Seattle, Washington. (Getty Images)

He returned to DC for his final season after spending one season in on the Cleveland Browns.

He retired in 2002 after starting 72 of the 93 regular-season games he played and both of his playoff games.

No cause of death has been given, but Johnson's death clearly came as a shock.

He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 1999 and voted All-Pro second team by that same season.

Lineman Tre Johnson #77 of the Washington Redskins during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 10, 2002 at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

"We're heartbroken to learn of the loss of former Washington All-Pro guard Tre' Johnson," the Washington Commanders wrote on X today.

"Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones."

In retirement, Johnson became a history teacher and football coach at Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland.

"His recent battles with health issues forced him to take a leave of absence," Tre's wife wrote in her Facebook post.

Our thoughts go out to Tre Johnson's loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

Tre Johnson Cause of Death: Former NFL Star Passes Away at 54 During Family Vacation was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Barack Obama Says Aliens Are Real, Promptly Retracts Statement

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As though 2026 wasn't weird enough already, aliens are once again making headlines.

Over the weekend, Barack Obama sat down for an interview with Brian Tyler Cohen, and when the topic of visitors from another planet came up, the former president made a surprising statement:

"They're real," Obama said with surprising nonchalance.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama arrives prior to the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump at the United States Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Melina Mara – Pool/Getty Images)

"But I haven't seen them, and they're not being kept in Area 51. There's no underground facility unless there's this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States," he continued.

Cohen followed that up by asking Obama what he wanted to know first when he was elected president back in 2008.

"Where are the aliens?" Obama jokingly — we think? — replied.

So yeah, a former president stating that matter-of-factly that aliens exist is a pretty big deal, and the clip went viral for obvious reasons.

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Unfortunately, it's not quite as big a bombshell as we initially thought.

In response to the controversy over his statement, Obama took to Instagram to clarify that he was merely voicing his own theory, and he doesn't actually know whether aliens exist.

"I was trying to stick with the spirit of the speed round, but since it's gotten attention, let me clarify," Obama wrote, adding:

"Statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there's life out there.

"But the distances between solar systems are so great that the chances we've been visited by aliens is low, and I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!"

Former President Barack Obama addresses the Obama Foundation's 2024 Democracy Forum on December 05, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Yeah, Barack really burst a lot of people's bubbles with that follow-up statement.

Thus far, 2026 has been a pretty big bummer, and the confirmation that aliens are real added some much-needed excitement and optimism to the social media landscape.

After months of gossip about the Obamas' marriage, Barack was back to making headlines for cool reasons. It was like 2008 all over again!

Alas, being the mature elder statesman that he is, he felt the need to clarify his remarks once he saw that they'd been misinterpreted.

Unless he does know that aliens are real and the shady cabal dedicated to keeping them a secret pressured him into retracting his remarks!

We're through the looking glass here, people!

Barack Obama Says Aliens Are Real, Promptly Retracts Statement was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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Jennifer Aniston: Reconsidering Motherhood with Boyfriend Jim Curtis?

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It's never too late, right?

For years, many did not know about Jennifer Aniston's IVF struggles. Her fertility journey never paid off.

Historically, the beloved actress has shied away from adoption.

Apparently, her hypnotist boyfriend may be getting her to come around to the idea. Not through hypnosis, mind you.

Jim Curtis, Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler, and Jackie Sandler attend ELLE's 2025 Women in Hollywood Celebration on November 17, 2025. (Photo Credit: Presley Ann/Getty Images for ELLE)

New relationship, new perspective on adoption?

According to a new report by RadarOnline, Aniston is again open to the idea of becoming a parent with boyfriend Jim Curtis.

"It was tough at first because Jim has always wanted another child," an insider source alleged.

"And," the insider acknowledged, "Jen's spent years coming to terms with the fact that motherhood wasn't in the cards for her."

The source reported: "She genuinely had made peace with it."

Once a person has gotten closure — with being childfree, with leaving an unwanted career, with a romantic breakup — even the suggestion of reconsidering can be painful.

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The insider continued: "Now they have fallen so head over heels in love, they can't help but talk about what it would be like to have a family together."

According to the source: "Being with Jim has cracked something open, and made her come around to his suggestion of adopting."

The insider claimed that "everyone is telling Jen she should do it."

Allegedly, Aniston's friends have been accurately telling her "that she'd be the most wonderful mom."

The source continued: "And it's not too late to experience motherhood for herself."

Jennifer Aniston attends the Apple TV + Primetime Emmy Party at Mother Wolf on September 15, 2024. (Photo Credit: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)

Others in her life are reportedly being encouraging

"Jen has so many friends who have adopted kids," the insider noted.

"And," the source went on, "they've all told her it was the best choice they've ever made."

Adoption can be controversial, with various adoptees speaking out about everything from abuse to a sense of alienation from cultural heritage to the phenomenon of white evangelicals adopting as part of a "culture war."

It seems likely that someone growing up as Aniston's child would be lucky enough to dodge most of those bullets.

Will she take the advice that she's reportedly getting from loved ones?

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"Jen is being cautious," the inside source reported.

"And," the insider went on, "says she's not making any decisions just yet."

According to the source: "It's something she and Jim are openly discussing."

The insider acknowledged that this is something "which is not a scenario anyone would have predicted a year ago."

Well, it's always smart to consider one's options!

Actress Jennifer Aniston attends Elle 2025 Women in Hollywood celebration at the Four Seasons hotel in Beverly Hills, California on November 17, 2025. (Photo Credit: LISA O'CONNOR/AFP via Getty Images)

This is Aniston's first major romance since her 2018 divorce

In case you missed our earlier reporting, Jim Curtis is Aniston's boyfriend. They sparked romance rumors by vacationing together in July 2025.

Curtis is a hypnotist by trade. He once dated Bethenny Frankel.

He is already a parent — he has a teen son from a previous marriage.

We of course cannot verify any aspect of the couple's alleged conversations about having a kid together.

That seems like a painful topic for Aniston, given her attempts in her 30s and 40s to become a parent. As always, we wish her the very best.

Jennifer Aniston: Reconsidering Motherhood with Boyfriend Jim Curtis? was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip.

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