Lakewood police apologize after community raises concerns about handling of Jax Craton’s death

Lakewood Police Chief Smith apologized to the family and community on July 14 and said the department will form an internal team to improve cultural competency and communication in the investigation into the death of Jax, a transgender resident found in Lakewood.

The apology came as several speakers during the council’s nonagenda public comment period urged city leaders to acknowledge mistakes and take steps to rebuild trust. Z Williams, a Ward 2 resident and friend of Jax, told the council the department “deadnaming Jax…is violence,” and said family members had to repeatedly prompt police to collect evidence. Brad Bruce said he was “horrified” and asked the council to support an independent oversight review of the case. Alex Abreu, representing Colorado’s chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, said the community did the work to find Jax and accused the Lakewood Police Department and Jefferson County coroner of repeated communication failures.

Chief Smith told the council that the department used Jax’s chosen name “out of respect” in the public notice but also included a legal name and that the department “did not intend to be disrespectful or cause harm.” The chief added, “We apologize for causing additional pain to the community and those who cherish her,” and said the department will “assemble a team from within our organization whose mission will be to help all of us better understand and represent the voices and experiences of all members of the community we serve.”

Speakers at the meeting described specific complaints about the investigation: they said the coroner and police contacted the wrong person with sensitive information, that Jax’s belongings were missing when she was found, and that family members had to press repeatedly for evidence collection. Z Williams said Jax was found “in a space between two buildings that no public person can access” and disputed earlier characterizations that she was found by a passerby in an alley.

Council members and the mayor acknowledged the emotion in the room and the limits on what the department could disclose while the case remains active. Several councilors praised Chief Smith’s apology and asked staff to follow up on community concerns. In council reports later in the meeting Mayor Strom reiterated the city’s commitment to inclusion and urged continued collaboration between the police and community leaders.

No formal change in police policy or an independent investigative panel was approved during the meeting. Chief Smith said the investigation remains active and that the department is limited in the information it can release while detectives continue their work.

The city manager and council members said they would continue to monitor the situation and to work with the police department on communication and engagement steps.

Community members and the family who spoke said they will continue to press for a transparent, thorough investigation and for cultural changes in how officials communicate about transgender residents and victims.