Cole Brings Plenty, star of the “Yellowstone” spinoff “1923,” was found dead on Friday after going missing earlier this week, according to the New York Daily News. He was 27.
The actor was found dead near an unoccupied vehicle in a wooded area in eastern Kansas. An investigation had begun and a medical examiner was on scene, the police department in Lawrence, Kansas, said in a statement.
“I am deeply saddened to confirm that my son, Cole, has been found and is no longer with us,” Brings Plenty’s father said late Friday in a statement with his family. “We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone for the prayers and positive thoughts you sent for Cole.”
Brings Plenty had gone missing on Sunday and was last seen leaving the Lawrence area in a white Ford Explorer, according to flyers put up on Instagram by his uncle, “Yellowstone” actor Mo Brings Plenty.
“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,” Brings Plenty’s father said in the family’s statement. “I learned this week how many people knew the goodness in Cole’s heart and loved him.”
The Lawrence Police Department shared a statement on Facebook hours later stating that Brings Plenty was wanted for an incident that “involves allegations of domestic violence.”
Officers had responded to reports of a female screaming for help, but the suspect had fled before they arrived, according to the LPD statement. Traffic cameras appeared to identify Brings Plenty and showed the man leaving the city right after the incident.
In an Instagram post on Thursday calling attention to his nephew’s disappearance, Mo Bring Plenty defended him, stating that he would not go “on the run” in any situation. In a separate post, he said his nephew’s sudden disappearance without telling anyone where he was was “anomalous.”
“It is not in his character, despite what people might say or think. It isn’t worth it, and he would know that,” the 54-year old actor wrote.
He added that it is unknown whether his nephew was involved in the domestic incident or was behind the wheel of the car seen on camera leaving the city.
“It is important for everyone to refrain from making assumptions or speculating in any situation,” he said. “Would you want this if Cole were your son, brother, nephew, cousin — family? Let us prioritize facts, respect due process and uphold the principles of fairness and justice for all involved.”
A representative for both Mo and Cole Brings Plenty did not respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
The actor was best known for his portrayal of Pete Plenty Clouds on “1923,” a series that gained momentum as the prequel to the popular Western drama “Yellowstone.” He also appeared in the 2022 series “Into the Wild Frontier” and “The Tall Tales of Jim Bridger” in 2024.
