Investigators have arrested a Colorado mother months after her teen daughter was found dead in their home with over 170 empty bottles of alcohol. 

Gretchen Leanne Ryan, 55, was charged with murder in the second-degree after an investigation revealed alleged disturbing behavior that prosecutors believe led to her daughter's alcohol-related death, the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office announced. 

Ryan's daughter, later identified in an obituary as Grace Elizabeth Ryan, 16, was found dead by first responders on the morning of March 9 at her home in Arvada, a suburb of Denver. 

The teen was unresponsive and pronounced deceased at the scene. Prosecutors found digital evidence allegedly revealing that Ryan frequently consumed alcohol and marijuana with her daughter. 

Text messages between Ryan and Grace allegedly showed that the teen had been suffering significant health concerns in the months leading to her death. 

She described episodes of vomiting blood, difficulty eating, trouble walking and having to use diapers. 

Investigators have also alleged that Grace told her mother that she needed help and was concerned she was going to die, according to the district attorney's office. 

On the night before her death, Grace texted her mother that she was feeling sick. Her last outgoing message was sent at 10.07pm from her iPad. 

Authorities said the iPad was found near Grace's body in the bathroom the following morning. 

Despite the nighttime messages, 911 had not been called until around 8.15am, the DA's office said. 

When the police arrived, Ryan was wearing a T-shirt and an adult diaper. She was allegedly slurring her words and told detectives, 'I killed her,' according to an arrest warrant. 

Investigators noted that the home smelled like urine. During a search of the residence, authorities recovered 173 empty bottles under Grace's bed and in the closet. 

Text messages included in an arrest affidavit obtained by The Denver Post noted that days before Grace's death, she texted her mother, 'If you’re going to do this to me you need to take me to a hospital.'

Ryan denied Grace's concerns that she was going to die and allegedly told her to smoke marijuana instead of drinking. 

Grace had also texted a friend a week before her death that she was an alcoholic and wanted to get sober.  

The affidavit also stated that Ryan told police her daughter drank to the point of vomiting at least once a week. 

The teen was removed from public high school in April 2025 to attend online school. However, the DA's office said that Grace had completed only one online semester and had not participated in any activities outside her home. 

Her father had been living in the basement, and Ryan had allegedly attempted to conceal her daughter's alcohol abuse from him. 

An autopsy report concluded that Grace's cause of death was aspiration pneumonia related to chronic alcohol use. 

Grace also had an abnormally fatty liver for her age, which was believed to have been a result of extensive and prolonged alcohol consumption. 

An obituary for the teen said she loved art, music, attending church, caring for her pets and crafts. 

Grace had aspired to be a social worker. She was described as an empathetic and compassionate individual. The obituary also noted her parents were 'adoring' and 'loving.' 

Ryan was booked into the Jefferson County Jail on a $500,000 cash-only bond for murder in the second degree. 

Her next court date is scheduled for July 16. She has not yet entered a plea for the charges against her, and it is unclear if she has retained an attorney.