Five days following the discovery of 27-year-old actor Cole "Coco" Brings Plenty's body in Kansas, authorities have stated that they do not suspect any foul play in his demise.
A statement released on April 10 by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office asserted that "there is no evidence of foul play in Brings Plenty's death."
Brings Plenty, who had been reported missing since March 31 and was sought in connection to a domestic violence incident in Lawrence, Kansas, was found deceased in a wooded area within Johnson County.
According to the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched to the vicinity at 11:45 a.m. following a report of an abandoned vehicle. Brings Plenty's remains were discovered nearby.
"Ongoing investigations involve Crime Scene Investigators and the Medical Examiner," stated JCSO. "This investigation is still in progress."
As of April 10, there has been no reported cause of death.
Following the news of Brings Plenty's passing, his father, Joe Brings Plenty Sr., expressed his profound sadness in a statement shared with NBC News.
"I am deeply saddened to confirm that my son, Cole, has been found and is no longer with us," he stated. "We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone for the prayers and positive thoughts you sent for Cole. We also wish to thank all those who stood by us as we searched for my son and provided the necessary resources to expand our search areas. This week, I have come to realize how many people recognized the goodness in Cole's heart and loved him."
Joe Brings Plenty Sr. conveyed the family's request for privacy as they navigate through their grief and chart a path forward.
Cole Brings Plenty, recognized for his role in the "Yellowstone" spinoff series "1923" as Pete Plenty Clouds, disappeared following an incident on March 31 in Lawrence, Kansas, situated approximately 40 miles west of Kansas City.
"On April 2, officials announced that Lawrence Police had submitted an affidavit to the District Attorney for the arrest of Cole Brings Plenty, following an incident at an apartment in Lawrence," a statement revealed. "He was identified as the suspect, with probable cause established for his arrest, prompting an alert to area agencies."
Responding to reports of a distressed female at the apartment, officers arrived to find the suspect had fled the scene before their arrival.
Lawrence Police noted Cole Brings Plenty's presence on traffic cameras, departing the city immediately afterward, traveling south on U.S. Route 59.
"This matter involves accusations of domestic violence, which restricts the information we can disclose to safeguard the victim," emphasized the police statement, concluding that "no further details will be released."
Initially concerned about the whereabouts of the missing actor, Cole Brings Plenty's family reached out to the authorities for assistance.
On his verified Instagram account, Mo Brings Plenty, known for his role as Mo in "Yellowstone" and also the younger actor's uncle, shared a missing person poster of his nephew. The poster indicated that the younger Brings Plenty's phone was switched off, and his absence became apparent when he failed to attend an appointment with his agent for a TV show, which was out of character for him.
In a statement to NBC News, Cole Brings Plenty's agent, Peter Yanke, disclosed that the actor had missed a Zoom audition for an upcoming project on April 1.
"I had discussed the details with him on Thursday afternoon, and he was enthusiastic about it. When Cole didn't join the Zoom call, I reached out to his manager," Yanke stated. "We hope for his safe return and are grateful for the efforts of his family, friends, and colleagues in the film industry to locate him. Our thoughts are with them during this challenging time."
Cole Brings Plenty's fellow cast members also took to social media to raise awareness about the actor's disappearance.
"My good friend @mobringsplenty's nephew is missing," wrote "Yellowstone" star Cole Hauser, who portrays Rip Wheeler on the show, in an Instagram post on April 2. "He was last seen on Easter evening in Kansas City."
Additional messages were shared by Michelle Randolph, Kelsey Asbille, Brandon Sklenar, Julia Schlaepfer, and Amina Nieves, as reported by E! News.
In a statement to Native News Online, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, of which Brings Plenty was a member, demanded a thorough investigation into Cole's disappearance and subsequent passing.
"The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe extends its deepest sympathy and support to Cole's family and friends. He epitomized what it means to be a good relative, and we stand in solidarity with you in your sorrow," the statement expressed.
On April 10, Lawrence Police Chief Rich Lockhart acknowledged the necessity for the police department to enhance trust with Native American community members.
"This is a tragic situation for all involved," Lockhart remarked in the statement. "None of us could have anticipated this outcome. Through this sequence of events, I've realized that our Police Department must strive to enhance trust with members of our Native American community."
"Having met with Cole's family and members of our Native American community, it's evident that we haven't reached the level of partnership that is vital to Lawrence's history and current culture," he continued.
"These distressing events have garnered global attention. It's my aspiration that the bridges we construct and the partnerships we establish between our Native American community and our police department will foster a relationship that not only enhances trust and comprehension but also serves as a model for other communities."