A double homicide at a restaurant in northwest Denver reverberated Tuesday as police investigators appealed to the public for help and the business closed for the rest of the week.
Denver police launched a homicide investigation Monday after two people were found dead in the 4100 block of West 38th Avenue. The American Elm later posted on Facebook about the “tragic event earlier today at our restaurant.”
Police asked in a posting on Twitter that anyone with information call the anonymous Crime Stoppers tipline at 720-913-7867.
Police identified the victims as Emerall Vaughn-Dahler and Ignacio “Nacho” Gutierrez Morales and said in a Crime Stoppers bulletin that their bodies had been found inside a business at West 38th and North Raleigh Street and that the two victims “were murdered at the location.”
Operators of the American Elm restaurant, at 4132 W. 38th Ave., on Tuesday announced it will be closed for the rest of the week.
The team at the restaurant is “devastated” by the killings and “we are focused on providing our staff mental health support,” according to a statement the restaurant issued through a publicist. “We are cooperating fully with the Denver Police Department in their ongoing investigation.”
“Our hearts go out to the victims’ families and loved ones,” the restaurant wrote on Facebook.
A GoFundMe account is posted to aid the victim’s families.
“Emerall and Nacho were pillars of the American Elm family and will be so greatly missed by their families, loved ones and colleagues,” the GFM page said.
Vaughn-Dahler, 34, joined American Elm in June of 2021 “as a server and through hard work and dedication quickly rose to become General Manager,” according to the GFM post. “She was earnest, hard working and compassionate, had a kind and gentle spirit. Above all she was a loving mother, selfless and accepting of all, no judgements.”
Vaughn-Dahler is survived by her son, Michael, 12, and her husband, Andrew.
Gutierrez Morales, 58, “was extremely well respected within Denver’s culinary community,” according to the GFM post. He worked at Guard & Grace and Highland Tavern for years before joining American Elm as a prep cook. Gutierrez is survived by three children, Cinthia, 36, Johnathan 32, and Alex, 18.
“Nacho was very caring, humble and loved by many,” the GFM page said. “If he had a chance to help someone he was always there. He was quiet and always there to listen.”
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