Body of Missing Transgender Hairstylist Jax Gratton Found After Two-Month Search in Colorado

Jax Gratton, the 34-year-old hairstylist who had been missing in Denver since April, was found dead in an alleyway over the weekend

The two-month search for missing transgender hairstylist Jax Gratton has ended in heartbreak after police discovered her body in an alley in Lakewood, Colorado, over the weekend. Gratton, 34, had been missing since April 15, when she left her home around 10 p.m., telling her roommate she would be gone for about three hours but never returned.

Her disappearance sparked a citywide search effort, particularly within Denver’s LGBTQIA+ community, where many feared she may have been targeted. Concerns also grew among her family members, including her mother, Cherilynne Gratton-Camis, who had previously voiced fears stemming from Gratton’s history of abusive relationships.

Gratton-Camis confirmed the devastating discovery in a Facebook post dedicated to finding her daughter. “With a broken heart, I share the news that our beloved Jax Gratton has been found — and she is no longer with us,” she wrote. “There are no words strong enough for the grief we are feeling. The light she carried, the love she gave so freely, and the joy she brought into our lives have been taken from this world far too soon.”

Gratton was last seen leaving her Denver apartment on April 15 at around 10 p.m when her roommate said she told him she was heading out that night and would be gone for three hours - but never returned

While the Lakewood Police Department has not officially confirmed the identity of the body found Friday night due to its advanced stage of decomposition, a detective at the scene reportedly identified Gratton through her tattoos, according to her mother. The body was discovered by a bystander in an alley, and Gratton’s clothing matched what she was last seen wearing, suggesting she died the same night she disappeared.

“That brings me peace,” Gratton-Camis said, referencing prior unverified claims that her daughter had been held captive and tortured. “She didn’t spend six to seven weeks in horrible situations.”

Gratton's absence was first noticed by family and friends over Easter weekend when she failed to reach out — something her mother described as “unusual.” Coworkers at Solera Salon in Denver, where Gratton worked independently, became increasingly concerned after she missed several client appointments. Her last known appointment was on April 12, and her sudden absence was out of character.

Gratton worked as a hairstylist in Denver

“We started communicating with each other — ‘Have you seen Jax? Have you seen Jax?’ Everyone was like, ‘No, we haven’t heard from her,’” said Brandy Carey, Gratton’s salon manager and close friend.

Gratton’s death is currently under investigation as a “suspicious death,” and the cause and manner of her death remain undetermined.

Throughout the search, community members rallied in support, holding vigils, sharing flyers, and raising awareness. Gratton-Camis expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of solidarity. “I want to thank everyone — near and far — who has shown up for us,” she wrote. “Everyone who sent out a prayer, a hope, a kind thought. Everyone who hit the ground running and hasn’t stopped.”

She continued, “This has opened my eyes in ways I can’t ignore — it’s not just about Jax. It’s about all of you in the LGBTQIA+ community who face the world every day with courage, just wanting to live, love, and exist safely and equally. That should never be a fight. And yet it is.”

Gratton, remembered as a beacon of light, used her voice to educate and uplift others. She often cut hair for homeless individuals without seeking recognition, believing everyone deserved dignity. She also documented her gender-affirming journey openly and celebrated major personal milestones, including one year of sobriety in March 2023.

“I am no longer running away from my emotions and feelings, that I’m walking in the light of a spiritual path,” she wrote at the time. “The love and support that has been shown and given to me, makes me value my self-worth. I deserve a life of freedom filled with love and growth.”

Her mother hopes Gratton is remembered for her courage, compassion, and authenticity. “She educated so many people. She would talk to people of all ages. I want her legacy to be her positivity.”