A 45-year-old man has been charged in connection with the death of Jax Gratton, a 34-year-old hairstylist whose remains were discovered in June 2025. Brandon Mumma faces two serious charges: one count of tampering with a deceased human body and another count of tampering with physical evidence, as outlined by the district attorney.
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Gratton was reported missing after she left her Denver apartment on the night of April 15, 2025. She told her roommate she would return within a few hours but never came back. Following an extensive search by family, friends, and authorities, her body was ultimately found in a confined space between two buildings in Lakewood, Colorado.
On March 11, 2026, First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King confirmed that a grand jury had returned a two-count indictment against Mumma. According to the district attorney, Mumma was allegedly the last person known to have been with Gratton on the night she disappeared. The indictment reveals that the pair were involved in a consensual intimate relationship.
The evidence presented indicates that Mumma and Gratton entered an office space on West Colfax Avenue together at approximately 10:41 p.m. on April 15. They were later joined by a male friend around midnight. The indictment states that Mumma and the friend departed the office space early the following morning, leaving Gratton alone and asleep, reportedly under the influence of drugs.
Mumma returned to the office at 5:55 a.m., and surveillance footage shows him exiting shortly after 6:57 a.m. Following this, he allegedly moved his vehicle and returned to the building with trash bags, which he subsequently disposed of in a dumpster before leaving the area. The court documents suggest that he removed Gratton’s body and personal belongings in an attempt to conceal evidence from law enforcement.
Gratton’s remains were discovered on June 6, 2025, clad in the same clothing she was wearing when she vanished. The autopsy conducted by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office left many questions unanswered. It could not determine whether Gratton had fallen, jumped, or was pushed from a second-storey window where she was last known to be alive. Furthermore, it could not establish whether she was alive or deceased at the moment of her fall.
Mumma is accused of deliberately obscuring the circumstances of Gratton’s death in an effort to evade police detection. He was arrested on March 11 in Summit County and is currently being held on a cash bond of £100,000. His initial court appearance is scheduled for March 17.
Interestingly, the male friend who was present on the night of Gratton’s disappearance has cooperated with law enforcement and is not considered involved in the alleged tampering or removal of evidence related to the case.
In the aftermath of Gratton’s death, her loss has deeply affected the local LGBTQ+ community, which held a memorial to celebrate her life and impact. Friends and community members shared emotional tributes, highlighting how Gratton’s kindness and spirit had touched many, regardless of how well they knew her. As one friend poignantly stated, “Jax is looking down and she is proud of the community that she brought together,” illustrating the profound sense of love and unity that her memory continues to inspire.
The ongoing legal proceedings will determine the nature of Mumma’s involvement in the tragic case, with the community holding its breath for justice in the death of a beloved individual. As this disturbing story unfolds, it continues to resonate across the community and reminds everyone of the impact one person’s life can have on so many others.