Family and friends remember transgender Denver hairstylist
A crowd lined up outside of the City and County of Denver building Monday morning to memorialize the life of Jax Gratton, a transgender woman whose body was found in a Lakewood alleyway last Friday.
Gratton had been missing for nearly two months.
“This is a time where we have to stand up,” said Rep. Brianna Titone.
Gratton — a 34-year-old Denver hairstylist at Solera Salon Suites — was found dead in a Lakewood alleyway on Friday evening in the 9600 block of West Colfax Avenue, according to a social media post by the Lakewood Police Department. The body was reportedly in advanced stages of decomposition. Authorities labeled the death as “suspicious” but did not elaborate.
The body has not been identified by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office as of Monday, but Gratton’s mother, Cherilynne Gratton-Camis, said it was Gratton.
Gratton was last seen leaving a southeast Denver apartment on the night of April 15. Fliers and social media posts asking for help in the search flooded the metro after.
“As a trans individual this is very close to home,” said Brother Ken Unity of the Golden Nugget Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, who aided in Gratton’s search effort.
“We tried our hardest, and I’m just glad that we are bringing her home in the end,” Unity told the Denver Gazette.
“She cared deeply for humans in general. Jax was just a great friend to everyone. She would just step up for anyone when others wouldn’t. There’s not enough of that in the world today, so to have her go through this in life, it is not deserved,” Brandy Carey, community manager at Solera Salon Suites, told The Denver Gazette.
Titone read a statement from Gratton-Camis at the steps of the building. In it, she described Gratton as full of life, creativity, and love.
“We are here to demand justice for her, for her loved ones, and for every person who fears they might be next,” she said.
Gratton’s father, brother and sister also sent statements to be read.
Lawyer Ashley Cordero of Del Pueblo Law read for Gratton’s father Mike Mastra. In his statement, he spoke about Gratton’s humor and character and urged parents to not take their children for granted.
“Love your family the way Jax loved everyone,” he said.
The family will be holding a rosary service Monday evening at the Highlands United Methodist Church. The family is also planning a large celebration of life for Gratton later in the summer.
Family and friends have started a GoFundMe to help fund an autopsy report and “any justice that may need to be served.” The efforts have raised more than $6,000.








