A 16-year-old girl was found dead in a bathroom surrounded by evidence of prolonged alcohol abuse, leading prosecutors to charge her mother with second-degree murder in a case that has drawn scrutiny over months of alleged enabling and concealment inside a suburban home.
ARVADA, CO – Grace Ryan, 16, was discovered unresponsive in March at her family’s residence on West 85th Avenue, roughly 12 miles north of Denver. Investigators say her mother, 55-year-old Gretchen Ryan, supplied her with alcohol for months and took steps to hide the extent of her drinking, according to a Wednesday release from the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Authorities reported finding 173 empty alcohol bottles hidden under the teen’s bed and in her closet.
Prosecutors allege the bottles included “various brands and sizes of vodka and other hard liquor” that were provided by her mother. Gretchen Ryan has been charged with second-degree murder and is being held on a $500,000 cash-only bond.
Pattern of alcohol use and concealment alleged
“Ryan and the victim frequently consumed alcohol and marijuana together and, beginning in September 2025, discussed the consumption and procurement of alcohol on an almost daily basis,” the DA’s office said. “According to investigators, the communications indicate Ryan arranged regular alcohol deliveries to the home and took steps to conceal the victim’s alcohol use from her father, who primarily resided in the basement of the home.”
Authorities say digital evidence recovered from an iPad near Grace’s body documented ongoing conversations between mother and daughter about her deteriorating health. “According to investigators, the victim’s documented communication with Ryan shows that in the months leading up to her death she was suffering from significant physical health concerns, due to the alcohol Ryan was allegedly providing her,” the DA’s office said. “The messages describe episodes of vomiting blood, difficulty eating, difficulty walking, and the use of diapers due to symptoms associated with excessive alcohol consumption.”
Investigators further stated that Grace “repeatedly expressed fears that she was going to die” and sought help. Messages from the night before her death “indicate she continued communicating with Ryan about being sick,” according to the DA’s office.
Timeline and final communications
“The victim’s last outgoing communication was sent to Ryan at 10:07 p.m. on March 8th from the victim’s iPad located near her body in the bathroom,” the DA’s office said. “Records indicate that subsequent messages sent from Ryan’s device went unanswered. 911 was not called until around 8:15 a.m. the following morning.”
An arrest affidavit cited messages allegedly sent by Gretchen Ryan, including: “I can’t anymore. I’m killing you. We have to do something And I am going to jail.” Another message read, “Tried to be the cool mom and f—ed up,” and “It’s child abuse and [redacted] Is going to put me in jail where o should be.”
Investigators also allege that Gretchen Ryan removed her daughter from public high school last year and enrolled her in online classes. At the time of her death, Grace had completed one online semester of ninth grade and had not participated in activities outside the home for several months. When asked by police whether she allowed her daughter to drink, Gretchen Ryan allegedly responded, “If I was drunk, I probably might have let her,” according to the affidavit.
Autopsy findings and court proceedings
An autopsy determined Grace Ryan’s cause of death was “aspiration pneumonia related to chronic alcohol use,” the DA’s office said. The manner of death was classified as “natural due to the volitional component of the alcohol consumption.” Officials added, “Preliminary autopsy findings revealed the victim had an abnormally fatty liver for someone of her age, which medical professionals believed could indicate extensive and prolonged alcohol consumption.”
Gretchen Ryan was arrested at her home and is scheduled to appear in court June 17 for a preliminary hearing.
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