Tragic Case of Underage Drinking: Mother Charged with Second-Degree Murder in Daughter's Alcohol Poisoning Death
A mother from Colorado has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of her 16-year-old daughter, who died from alcohol poisoning. The daughter, Grace Elizabeth Ryan, was found dead in her Arvada home with an abnormally fatty liver, indicating prolonged alcohol consumption.
The mother, Gretchen Leanne Ryan, and her daughter were known to drink heavily and smoke marijuana together. Text messages revealed that the mother arranged regular alcohol deliveries to the home and concealed the daughter's alcohol use from her father. Despite the daughter's health concerns, the mother continued to supply her with alcohol.
The daughter expressed fears about her health and sent text messages to her mother the night before her death saying she was not feeling well. Detectives found 173 empty alcohol bottles hidden in the daughter's bedroom, including various brands and sizes of vodka and other hard liquor.
The daughter had been un-enrolled from high school to attend online classes due to her excessive drinking. At the time of her death, she had completed only one online semester of ninth grade and had been isolated at home for several months.
Gretchen Leanne Ryan is currently held in the Jefferson County Jail on a $500,000 cash-only bond. The tragic case highlights the dangers of underage drinking and the devastating consequences it can have on families and individuals.