A Denver hairstylist who disappeared after leaving her University Hills apartment on April 15 has been found dead, her mother announced Saturday.

“There are no words strong enough for the grief we are feeling,” Jax Gratton’s mother, Cherilynne Gratton-Camis, wrote in a Facebook group dedicated to finding her daughter. “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.”

In the nearly two months that Gratton was missing, more than 5,100 people joined the group to share information and try to find the missing 34-year-old hairstylist.

Gratton was last seen at about 10 p.m. April 15 in the 4200 block of East Iliff Avenue, according to the Denver Police Department.

Her body was found a week short of two months later, Gratton-Camis said.

Gratton-Camis started worrying when her daughter didn’t call on Easter, and the hairstylist’s friends realized something was wrong when she missed multiple appointments with her clients. Gratton rented a studio at the Solera Salon Suites’ North Broadway location.

Gratton’s body was found in a Lakewood alley in the 9600 block of West Colfax Avenue at about 5 p.m. Friday, Gratton-Camis told Denver7 on Saturday.

She said a Lakewood detective visually identified the hairstylist by her tattoos and that her daughter was found wearing the same clothes she left in.

“The body was in advanced stages of decomposition and could not be positively identified,” Lakewood Police Department spokesperson John Romero said in an email to The Denver Post. He said a suspicious death investigation was ongoing.

Jefferson County coroner officials said Sunday afternoon that no forensic identification had been made and the cause of death was “pending until further notice.”

No updates in the Lakewood investigation were available Sunday, Romero said.

“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,” Gratton-Camis wrote on Facebook. “That should never be a fight. And yet it is.”

Gratton’s friends and family plan to gather in front of Denver’s City and County Building at 1437 Bannock St. at 11 a.m. Monday to talk about her death and remember her with the community.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

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Originally Published: June 8, 2025 at 2:58 PM MDT

DENVER — Denver’s Pride Parade may be taking a new route this year, but at Champagne Tiger, the celebration of queer joy remains right at home on Colfax.

Construction for the city’s Bus Rapid Transit project has pushed the 2025 Pride Parade off its traditional route on Colfax. Instead, the parade will march down 17th Avenue, meaning queer-owned businesses along Colfax that typically benefit from the parade’s foot traffic will notice a difference.

For Champagne Tiger, a queer-owned drag brunch and dining spot just shy of its first anniversary, community support remains as vibrant as ever.

“Drag brunch here at Champagne Tiger is really probably one of the funnest things that you can do in Denver,” customer Brian Corrigan said. “Not only do they have amazing food, but the talent is ridiculously good.”

Co-owners Chris Donato and Jeff Yeatman told Denver7 they wanted to create more than just another brunch spot. From house-made quiche that takes two days to prepare, to oysters flown in from Massachusetts, to French omelets and tater tot waffles topped with smoked lox, Champagne Tiger offers a menu that surprises guests as much as the performances do.

Richard Butler

“We really put a focus on the food so that hopefully it matches the show in a really great way,” Donato said. “So, it’s not only a great show, but it’s also really, really delicious, well-made food.”

The Sunday drag brunches have become a sold-out staple. Local queens Pony and Anita Goodman co-host the shows on the first Sunday of each month. They say the safe space has created opportunities for new performers, including up-and-coming “baby queens” getting their first chance on stage.

Richard Butler

“They let us show up and just goof off,” Pony said. “Drag is joy. Hate is poison. Love is medicine. Drag is medicine.”

Despite 2025 Pride festivities shifting elsewhere, loyal customers say places like Champagne Tiger remain vital year-round.

“Finding a place like this, it’s kind of ‘Cheersian,’ where everyone knows your name and you feel safe and included and you have so much fun,” said customer Jenny Seemayer. “That’s so important for a city like Denver.”

Every Wednesday night, Champagne Tiger hosts Pasta & Piano night. Their kitchen team makes fresh pasta from scratch. There is always someone playing the piano, and sometimes you may catch a drag queen singing live.

Chris Donato

“It’s a way to have fun on a Wednesday that’s not you going out and doing a whole thing. You can go out and have some pasta, listen to some music, and be in bed by 10 p.m.,” said Donato.

The owners admit construction along Colfax has posed challenges for small businesses, but they remain optimistic.

“People have been coming out just to support because they know it’s a tough time, and that’s been beautiful to see,” Donato said.

Even without the parade passing by this year, the spirit of Pride is alive inside Champagne Tiger, where food, drag and community come together every week.

• Denver7 is a proud sponsor of the Denver Pride Parade. We partnered with the Center on Colfax to celebrate 50 years of Denver’s PrideFest. In the video below, we look back on the progress made in Colorado’s LGBTQ+ community over the last five decades and the work that still needs to be done.

50 years of Denver Pride: Full special presentation

Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Richard Butler

Richard Butler is a multimedia journalist who covers stories that have impact in all of Colorado’s communities, but he specializes in reporting on small businesses and community heroes. If you’d like to get in touch with Richard, fill out the form below to send him an email.