Kansas authorities announced Friday that actor Cole Brings Plenty, who had been missing since Sunday, has been found dead during a domestic violence investigation.
Just before noon Friday, deputies were called to an area about 63 miles southwest of Kansas City, Kansas, to check on an unoccupied vehicle. The 27-year-old's body was found in an adjacent wooded area, the Johnson County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
Deputies have not disclosed the details of the death. Johnson County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Mackenzie Davis said, “Our office continues to investigate this incident and will update as more information becomes available.”
The actor was known for his work on the Yellowstone spin-off 1923.
Police in Lawrence, Kan., about 30 miles northwest of where Cole Brings Plenty's body was found, said they believe Cole Brings Plenty's SUV was a Ford after a suspected domestic violence incident Sunday. It was announced earlier this week that the Explorer was seen driving south from the city center.
Friends and family members, including Uncle Moses Brings Plenty, a “Yellowstone” staple who also appeared in “1923,” became conscious and feared the worst.
Moses Brings Plenty shared a missing person flyer for his nephew on his Instagram account this week. In one post, he expressed suspicions that his nephew had committed domestic violence, as Lawrence police allege. His uncle also suspected that his nephew might run away or become “on the run.”
One flyer said the young actor's cell phone was switched off, further raising concerns. The elderly actor called his nephew's disappearance “unusual” and asked authorities to search for him.
Lawrence police said Thursday they have contacted the family and are following leads in the search for the suspect.
Police filed an affidavit in support of Cole Brings Plenty's arrest warrant, but the contents will be withheld and will not be released unless formal charges are filed, the area's district attorney's office said.
Lawrence police said Sunday that officers responded to a call of a woman screaming for help. Traffic cameras in the area reportedly showed a Ford Explorer heading away from town.
Cole Brings Plenty's manager did not respond to a request for comment.
Paramount Network’s “Yellowstone,” starring Kevin Costner, has become a cable TV juggernaut since its release in 2018. It spawned multiple spinoffs, including “1923” on Paramount+, which debuted in late 2022.
Both family members who appear on the franchise show draw on their Lakota heritage to create Native characters, with Uncle simply being “Mo Brings Plenty.”
In a statement from Cole Brings Plenty's father, Joe Brings Plenty confirmed his son's death and thanked those who helped with the search.
“So will we. “I want to thank everyone who walked with us as we searched for our son and provided us with the resources we needed to expand our search,” he said. This week I learned how many people knew Cole's good heart and loved him.”
He added that the family will “figure out how we move forward.”
