Colorado Mother Charged in 16-Year-Old Daughter's Death After 173 Bottles Found

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 25

Gretchen Leanne Ryan, 55, was charged with second-degree murder after her 16-year-old daughter Grace was found dead March 9 at their Arvada home.
Prosecutors said Ryan regularly bought and delivered alcohol for the teen, with text messages from September 2025 showing near-daily discussions about drinking and efforts to hide it from the girl's father.
Preliminary autopsy findings showed an abnormally fatty liver, and the death was ruled aspiration pneumonia related to chronic alcohol use; authorities said the teen had warned her mother about blood vomiting, trouble walking and fears she would die.
Detectives found 173 empty liquor bottles hidden under the bed and in a closet, while investigators said mother and daughter also drank heavily and used marijuana together.
The teen had been pulled from high school for online classes and had largely stopped outside activities before her death; Ryan is jailed on a $500,000 cash-only bond.