The news of his passing was released to the public through a statement by the Kansas Sheriff’s Office. The press release, dated April 5, 2024, stated that the deputies were dispatched to the area of 200th and Homestead Lane about an unoccupied vehicle. It said in part:

The male was then identified as Cole, 27. At the time of the press release, crime scene investigators and the medical examiner were on the scene.

Amidst the sorrow of this discovery, Cole’s dad, and his family shared their own heartfelt message, expressing their profound loss and gratitude towards the community’s support. The statement posted on Cole’s uncle, Mo Brings Plenty’s Instagram, began, “I am deeply saddened to confirm that my son, Cole, has been found and is no longer with us.”

The post went on to thank everyone for their prayers and positive thoughts sent to Cole. They then appreciated all those who participated and provided resources for the search for Cole.

In the days leading up to his tragic disappearance, an incident raised concerns and initiated a search that would end in heartbreak. On April 2, the Lawrence Kansas Police Department(LKPD) issued a statement regarding an incident involving Cole.

According to the LKPD, an affidavit was submitted to the District Attorney seeking Cole’s arrest following an incident reportedly related to domestic violence at a Lawrence apartment early Sunday morning.

Despite calls of a female screaming for help, Cole reportedly fled the scene before law enforcement officers arrived. Identified as the suspect, and based on probable cause, an alert for his arrest was issued. Surveillance footage captured him leaving the city shortly after the incident, heading south on Highway 59.

This post restricted the disclosure of further information to protect the victim’s privacy. Still, in the wake of these events, Cole’s family reached out to the police, shared their concerns, and reported him as missing. The poster revealed that Cole had missed an appointment with an agent for a TV show, which was “uncharacteristic for him.”

It went on to describe him as a 5’10” male with long black hair and brown eyes and weighing between 145 and 150 pounds. He was a student at Haskell Indian Nations University and was taking acting classes and working with his acting coach whenever time allowed.

“He is responsible and diligent in all his undertakings: he is never late, always well-prepared, does not reschedule, and has never been a no-show. That is the kind of character Cole has,” said part of the description of Cole in the missing person’s poster.

The poster went on to describe Cole as someone who would always answer his calls and messages. It thus became a cause for concern for the family when they kept trying to establish contact with him and discovered that his phone was off.

They were concerned for his safety and well-being. “Cole’s sudden disappearance without telling anyone his whereabouts is anomalous, causing a wave of concern spreading rapidly across the nation and parts of Canada,” the statement read in part.

But even as the event of his disappearance unfolded, the family cautioned the public against making assumptions about the situation without verified information. They stated that they did not know for a fact that Cole was involved in the incident he was alleged to have been a part of.

There was also no way of telling if he was the one behind the wheel of his 2005 Ford Explorer when it was seen leaving Lawrence. Still, they claimed to know for a fact that Cole could not go “on the run” in any situation as it was not in his character. They urged everyone to “prioritize facts, respect due process, and uphold the principles of fairness and justice for all involved.”

Now, in the wake of the devastating news, his family asks for privacy to mourn and honor his memory in peace. And as we reflect on the legacy the “1923” star leaves behind, his remarkable contributions to the world of classic Westerns continue to showcase his exceptional talent and the indelible mark on the hearts of fans and colleagues alike.