The Unanswered Questions: What Really Happened In The Death Of '1923' Actor Cole Brings Plenty?
The tragic passing of Cole "Coco" Brings Plenty on April 5, 2024, sent shockwaves through the Native American and Hollywood communities, leaving behind a complex narrative of a promising young life cut short amid troubling circumstances. As of late 2025, nearly two years after the initial incident, the official cause of the 27-year-old actor's death remains sealed by a court order, fueling speculation and a persistent call for transparency from his family. The death followed a high-profile missing person case that began on March 31, 2024, after he was named a suspect in an alleged domestic violence incident in Lawrence, Kansas.
This article provides an in-depth look at the life, career, and the mysterious events surrounding the death of the talented actor, including the conflicting reports, the official 'no foul play' statement, and the profound impact his loss had on the production of the hit series 1923. The details gathered here reflect the most current and verified information available, highlighting the entities and timelines critical to understanding this enduring tragedy.
The Life and Career of Cole "Coco" Brings Plenty
Cole Brings Plenty, known affectionately as "Coco," was a rising star and a powerful voice within the Native American community. His life was defined by his commitment to his heritage, his education, and his burgeoning career in television.
- Full Name: Cole "Coco" Brings Plenty
- Date of Birth: August 18, 1996
- Date of Death: April 5, 2024
- Age: 27
- Place of Birth: Eagle Butte, South Dakota, USA
- Tribal Affiliation: An enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, he was also of Mnicoujou Lakota descent, with his heritage rooted in what is now South Dakota.
- Family Connections: He was the son of Joni and Joseph Brings Plenty Sr., the latter of whom served as the former police chief of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. He was the nephew of renowned Yellowstone actor Mo Brings Plenty.
- Education: Cole was a 2015 graduate of Cheyenne-Eagle Butte High School and was a student at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas, at the time of his death.
- Notable Acting Role: Brings Plenty was best known for his role as Pete Plenty Clouds, a young sheepherder and love interest to the character Teonna Rainwater, in the first season of the Taylor Sheridan-created Paramount+ series, 1923, a prequel to Yellowstone.
Beyond acting, Cole was recognized as an advocate and a student, a young man who carried the weight of his community's hopes and pride. His connection to the Yellowstone universe through his uncle, Mo Brings Plenty, further solidified his visibility, making his sudden disappearance and death a national news story.
The Missing Person Case and Domestic Violence Allegations
The events leading up to Cole Brings Plenty's death began with an alleged domestic violence incident in Lawrence, Kansas, on Sunday, March 31, 2024. The Lawrence Police Department identified the actor as a suspect in the incident and issued a statement, noting that officers had responded to a report of a female screaming for help.
After the alleged incident, Brings Plenty was reported missing by his family when he failed to show up for a scheduled Zoom meeting. His uncle, Mo Brings Plenty, used his significant platform to plead for information, stating that Cole was not "on the run" and urging him to contact his family or the police. The family’s search efforts gained widespread attention, mobilizing a community-led movement to find the young actor.
The search concluded tragically on Friday, April 5, 2024. Deputies from the Johnson County Sheriff's Office discovered Cole Brings Plenty's body in a rural area of Johnson County, Kansas, near an unoccupied vehicle. The location was approximately 45 miles southwest of Kansas City.
The Official Findings vs. The Family’s Call for a Fair Investigation
In the immediate aftermath of the discovery, authorities moved quickly to issue a statement regarding the nature of the death. Johnson County investigators and the Lawrence Police Department publicly confirmed that there was "no indication of foul play" in the death of Cole Brings Plenty. This official finding suggested that the actor’s death was not the result of a criminal act committed by another party.
However, the official cause of death was not immediately released. Instead, a Johnson County judge sealed the court documents associated with the investigation, including the official autopsy and medical examiner's report. This decision to seal the records has been a major point of contention and a source of ongoing curiosity surrounding the case.
Adding to the complexity, the Brings Plenty family released a statement shortly after his passing. While the official cause was sealed, the family's statement referenced an "apparent cause of death was a cardiac event." This family-provided detail, though unverified by official sealed records, offered a partial explanation to the public but did not fully quell the speculation.
Months after the initial findings, the family publicly challenged the official narrative. Cole's father, Joseph Brings Plenty Sr., issued a poignant call for a "fair investigation," expressing his deep sadness and his belief that a more thorough review of the circumstances was necessary. This public challenge underscores the family's feeling that the investigation was incomplete or that crucial details were being withheld due to the sealed records.
The Legacy and Impact on the '1923' Series
Cole Brings Plenty’s death had a tangible impact on the production of the Yellowstone spin-off, 1923. His character, Pete Plenty Clouds, was a meaningful part of the show’s narrative involving the Native American storyline, particularly his relationship with the main character, Teonna Rainwater (played by Aminah Nieves).
Following the tragedy, the role of Pete Plenty Clouds was recast for the show’s second season. This decision was a necessary one for the continuation of the storyline, but it served as a constant reminder of the young actor's loss.
In a powerful and emotional tribute, the season two premiere of 1923 was dedicated to the memory of Cole Brings Plenty. The dedication was a small but significant gesture by the cast and crew to honor the actor who had become a valued part of the production family. His co-star, Aminah Nieves, spoke publicly about the importance of the tribute, stating that the dedication was "everything," reflecting the deep personal loss felt by those who worked with him.
The story of Cole Brings Plenty remains a painful chapter, blending a promising career with a tragic, unresolved end. The tension between the authorities' "no foul play" conclusion and the family's persistent demand for a "fair investigation" ensures that the curiosity surrounding the final, sealed details of his death will continue to linger for years to come.
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