Ignacio Nacho Gutierrez Morales, 58, was a respected prep cook in Denver’s restaurant scene and a father of three. In the spring of 2023 he was working at the American Elm in West Highland, preparing for the day on Monday, April 24, when someone or multiple people entered the restaurant between about 10 a.m. and noon and opened fire. Gutierrez Morales was shot once and found dead inside the business later that day alongside his co-worker, 34-year-old general manager Emerall Vaughn-Dahler; both deaths were ruled homicides.

The daylight killings on a typically busy street shocked the neighborhood and prompted an extensive Denver Police Department investigation that included canvassing and forensic analysis. Robbery was considered early on but was never confirmed, and despite a reward and continued interest the case grew cold with no arrests, no publicly identified suspects, and no clear motive announced. If anyone knew Ignacio, his routines, or saw anything at the American Elm that morning, please share what you remember with investigators.