Prosecutors allege evidence was removed after the Denver hairstylist’s disappearance in 2025.
LAKEWOOD, Colo. — A Colorado grand jury has indicted a man accused of tampering with evidence and the body of Denver hairstylist Jax Gratton, whose remains were discovered in a narrow space between two commercial buildings nearly two months after she vanished in April 2025.
The indictment marks a significant development in a case that drew widespread attention across the Denver area and among LGBTQ+ advocates. Prosecutors allege Brandon David Mumma was the last known person with Gratton before her death and later took steps to conceal evidence. Authorities have not accused him of causing her death, and investigators still have not determined exactly how the 34-year-old died.
Gratton was last seen on the night of April 15, 2025, after leaving her Denver apartment and telling her roommate she expected to be gone for only a few hours. According to court records, she arrived at an office space on West Colfax Avenue in Lakewood at about 10:41 p.m. with Mumma, a man prosecutors say had a consensual intimate relationship with her. A second man later joined them. Investigators allege that both men left the location at about 1:43 a.m. on April 16, leaving Gratton asleep and under the influence of drugs. Prosecutors say security footage later showed Mumma returning to the building shortly before 6 a.m. and remaining there for more than an hour. The indictment alleges he later carried trash bags from the building and discarded them in a dumpster before leaving. Gratton was never seen alive again.
For weeks, friends, relatives and volunteers searched throughout the Denver metro area while flyers and social media posts circulated widely. Gratton, a well-known hairstylist and transgender woman, had built a large network of friends and clients. Her disappearance sparked growing concern as days turned into weeks without answers. On June 6, 2025, her body was discovered in a fenced-off gap between buildings near the location where investigators say she had last been seen. Authorities said she was wearing the same clothing she had on when she left home. Investigators later alleged that evidence indicated her body and personal belongings had been moved or concealed after her death. The grand jury indictment accuses Mumma of tampering with a deceased human body and tampering with physical evidence. Prosecutors have not announced homicide charges.
An autopsy was unable to provide a definitive explanation for what happened. Medical examiners reported that decomposition made it impossible to determine whether Gratton died from a fall, an overdose, an assault or another cause. Investigators examined the possibility that she may have fallen from a second-story window above the location where her remains were found. However, forensic findings could not establish whether she fell accidentally, was pushed, jumped, or was moved after death. Toxicology testing identified the presence of methamphetamine and THC, while investigators also reviewed accounts that she may have consumed GHB before she disappeared. The coroner ultimately classified both the cause and manner of death as undetermined. That finding left investigators relying heavily on surveillance footage, witness statements and physical evidence gathered from the scene.
The criminal case has continued to move through the courts during 2026. Mumma was arrested after the grand jury returned a two-count indictment. Prosecutors allege he removed Gratton’s body, personal belongings and other evidence in an effort to prevent detection by law enforcement. Defense attorneys have challenged aspects of the allegations, and Mumma has entered a not guilty plea. Court proceedings have focused on evidence preservation, witness testimony and the timeline of events during the early morning hours of April 16. Investigators have emphasized that another man who was present at the office that night cooperated with authorities and is not considered a participant in the alleged concealment of evidence. Additional hearings are expected as prosecutors continue building their case.
The case has resonated deeply throughout Denver’s LGBTQ+ community, where Gratton was remembered as a vibrant and widely admired figure. Memorial gatherings drew friends, family members and supporters who described her as compassionate, energetic and deeply connected to people around her. Advocates have also raised questions about the initial response to her disappearance and whether opportunities to locate her sooner were missed. At vigils and public events, supporters carried photographs and candles while calling for accountability and answers. One friend said Gratton had a rare ability to bring together people from different backgrounds. Family members have repeatedly said their goal is to learn exactly what happened during the final hours of her life. Even with the indictment, many questions remain unanswered about how she died and why her body went undiscovered for so long.
For now, the criminal case remains active. Prosecutors continue pursuing evidence-tampering charges while investigators seek additional information that could clarify the circumstances surrounding Gratton’s death. Future court hearings are expected later this year as the case moves toward trial.
Author note: Last updated June 12, 2026.