Cole Brings Plenty, 27, Found Deceased, Family and Supporters Demand Answers

By Darren Thompson

Cole Brings Plenty, 27, was a 27-year-old actor, student, son, nephew, brother and enrolled citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota.

Johnson County, Kansas—On Friday, April 5, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office announced that Cole Brings Plenty was found dead in a wooded area, four days after he was reported missing. Brings Plenty was reported missing in Lawrence on April 1, after he missed a meeting with his agent, and many committed to finding him by sharing his missing person’s report and conducting independent searches. A cause of death has not been made, and the investigation is still ongoing by Kansas authorities.

Cole Brings Plenty, Mniconjou Lakota, was a 27-year-old citizen from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. He was attending Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence at the time of his death, and is known to many as an aspiring young man with a promising career ahead of him. He is widely known as an up-and-coming actor for his role in Paramount+’s “Yellowstone” spinoff “1923”, and he also had appeared in “Into the Wild Frontier” and “The Tall Tales of Jim Bridger”.

The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) issued a press release on Friday announcing his death and offered support to Cole’s family. “We respectfully request that Cole's family be given their privacy as they mourn the loss of their son, brother, grandson, nephew and uncle,” CRST wrote on Friday. “The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe demands a full and thorough investigation into Cole's disappearance and subsequent death. Our Attorney General will be in contact with the Kansas Authority to ensure this is accomplished.”

After Kansas authorities announced the death of Cole Brings Plenty, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe issued statement offering their support while demanding a thorough investigation to what led to his death.

Cole is the son of former Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman Jo Brings Plenty, Sr., and he’s currently a councilman for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Council. He is also the nephew of “Yellowstone” actor Mo Brings Plenty.

“I am deeply saddened to confirm that my son, Cole, has been found and is no longer with us,” said Cole’s father Jo Brings Plenty, Sr. in a statement on Friday evening. “We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone for the prayers and positive thoughts you sent for Cole. We would also like to thank everyone who came to walk beside us as we searched for my son and provided the resources we needed to expand our search areas. I learned this week how many people knew the goodness in Cole’s heart and loved him.”

Many news outlets, organizations, tribes, and other dignitaries have published their support for Cole’s family.

“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of Cole Brings Plenty, a valued member of our university family,” said Haskell Indian Nations University President Frank Arpan in a statement on Friday. “Our thoughts are with Cole's loved ones during this difficult time, and we ask for empathy, compassion, and respect for the family.”

Crazy Horse Memorial Chief Executive Officer Whitney Rencountre also made a statement on behalf of the family: “Sending my deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of Cole Brings Plenty, may our Creator be with you all. Indigenous Country will mourn along with you on the loss of such a talented young Lakota with a bright future.”

Others including the Native American Music Awards, E! News, Pikuni Press, National Native News, the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association, Inc., and many of Cole’s family, friends and supporters have posted their support and are asking authorities to find out what exactly happened that led to his death.

The news of his passing has not only shocked his family, friends, and colleagues but has also raised important questions regarding missing and murdered Indigenous people, mental health and the pressures faced by individuals in the entertainment industry. As the investigation into his death continues, circumstances surrounding his death continue.

A Lawrence woman accused Cole with breaking and entering her apartment and assaulting her, then later posted on social media that she had something to do with his death.

A screenshot of remarks made by Alexis Zabala, Cole Brings Plenty’s alleged accuser, on Facebook.

Haskell Indian Nations University is organizing space for friends and family of Cole to visit and are hosting a sweat lodge ceremony on Saturday evening on campus. The Haskell community is also hosting a candlelight vigil on Saturday, April 6 at 9:00 p.m.