An Unsettling Silence: Denver Community Rallying to Find Missing Trans Woman Jax Gratton

The vibrant energy of Denver’s salon community has been replaced by a palpable unease as friends, colleagues, and loved ones search for Jax Gratton, a beloved trans woman who has been missing since mid-April.  Jax, a local business owner operating her salon, Studio Jax, within a local salon suite, has left behind a trail of unanswered questions and growing concern.

Brandy Carey, a friend and the manager of Solera, the salon suites where Jax operates, spoke with a heavy heart about the unsettling nature of Jax’s disappearance. “I met Jax in 2020 … She came in, and she toured our suites. She ended up signing with us, and she’s been with us ever since.”

Their professional relationship blossomed into a close friendship. “In that time, she’s not only been a member at the salon … She’s become my friend, my hairstylist as well. And it’s just been amazing to get to know her. So that’s why it makes this really hard because Jax is not like anybody else. She makes everyone feel special.”

The first signs that something was amiss were subtle. Because the stylists at the salon suites operate independently, Jax’s absence from work wasn’t immediately alarming. “It was a little bit harder for us to see that she wasn’t coming to work when she was supposed to within the first few days, because everybody’s all independently owned and operated, so none of us see each other’s books.” Brandy explained. “It’s not unheard of for someone’s schedule to change for a week, or for someone to not be in for a few days that they normally are.”

However, the concern grew when clients started inquiring about Jax’s whereabouts. “When it got to the point where we had her clients coming up to us and saying, ‘Hey, Jax isn’t here for my appointment, is she in today?’ And then she missed an appointment with a particular set of clients who are a husband and wife that she is very close to outside of work. In fact, she calls this lady her mom, her second mom, and that’s when we knew, ‘OK, something doesn’t seem right.'”

A flurry of texts and calls from the salon community went unanswered. Within 24 hours of this growing unease, Jax’s family reached out. “Within that 24 hours that we didn’t hear anything, we were actually reached out to by Jax’s Dad to one of our stylists, and then Jax’s Mom reached out to me. So that’s when they let us know they haven’t heard from her (either). She didn’t call on Easter. Her roommate hasn’t seen her since the 15th. She left her cat.”

The mention of Jax leaving her beloved cat, Madame Francesca, sent a wave of alarm through those who know her. “Leaving Madame Francesca is, like, the biggest red flag that there’s something wrong,” Brandy emphasizes. “That was the first thing that all of us said. She would never leave her baby like that.”

Further details uncovered by the police deepened the concern. “Upon more investigation by the police, they have figured out that she also didn’t take her makeup or her medication, which is another indicator that you know something’s not normal,” Brandy adds. 

Jax’s roommate, Joe, claims that he tried to file a police report when he first noticed her missing, but alleges that the police brushed off his attempts, citing the fact that Jax is an adult. The official missing persons report was not put in until April 24 by Jax’s mom, Brandy says. 

When it comes to leads on Jax’s whereabouts so far, there is information suggesting Jax had gone on a date with someone unknown to her circle, possibly connected through the dating app Grindr or another app that Brandy didn’t name. “That information was based off of something that Joe, the roommate, had stated,” Brandy notes. “We’ve reached out to Grindr, and we were able to get them in touch with the police, I believe, which is great.”

For those who may have information on the case, Brandy stresses the importance of directing any potential information to the authorities. “We are urging people to utilize the tip line right now because the police department is working with us, so we want to make sure we’re leaving those lines of communication open,” she explains. 

She also recognizes that not everyone in the community is comfortable talking to police, even in cases as critical as this. “You can also message me personally. I know there’s sometimes people who are afraid to come forward with stuff, and they’re afraid to go to the police, but if you have a legitimate tip … You can reach out to me, and you can find me through the Facebook group.”

When asked about the best way the public can assist, Brandy says, “For anybody that’s local, we have had many people volunteer to canvas, (including) people who don’t even know Jax. If anybody wants to canvas. Get in touch. If you’re on social media, or you’re not local, look up Find Jax Gratton Denver. We’re coordinating all efforts in that group.” 

The reach of the search has extended far beyond Denver as well, and Brandy emphasizes how important that is. “We’re seeing it in Florida. We’re seeing it in Texas., I’m from New England, so many of my friends have been posting all throughout New England. We were posting in California. I actually had someone in the group say that they saw flyers in Texas. So even if you aren’t local, we could use your help.” 

When asked for final words on the importance of Jax in her life, Brandy says, “Jax is a kind individual. She does things a lot different than any of the other salon people that I’ve ever met, and it’s down to a mind, body, spirit connection, and that’s the connection that she creates with her clients. She’s helped clients get out of dangerous situations; she’s selfless in many ways. She’s generous, loving, caring, funny as hell, spunky … She’s just Jax.”

Jax’s mother, Cherilynne Gratton-Camis, echoes a similar sentiment about Jax’s heart and spirit. “Everyone deserves a life of freedom of love and growth,” she says, echoing a quote from Jax on social media about what she wants for her own life. Jax was forever transforming, changing, always trying to do better. She is a gift to humanity. Forever sparkling.”

Anyone with information regarding the disappearance of Jax Gratton is urged to contact the Denver Police Department tip line at 720-913-2000 and reference case #25-50014977. You can also find updates and ways to help by joining the Facebook group “Find Jax Gratton Denver.”

Photo courtesy of social media