Vigils held across the country to remember South Dakota actor Cole Brings Plenty

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – On March 31st, actor Cole Brings Plenty, best known for his appearances in the “Yellowstone” spinoff “1923”, went missing. Less than a week later, the 27-year-old’s body was found in a wooded area outside of Kansas City on April 5th. It was not far from his unattended car.

The heartbreaking loss is being felt by Native American communities around the country, especially in South Dakota where Brings Plenty was a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

“It really hurt my heart because I have children with the same last name and I couldn’t even imagine to see their names in the news the way Cole’s name was in the news,” said Shaina Yellowback, an organizer of the event.

Vigils were held nationwide on Sunday, including one at Van Eps Park in downtown Sioux Falls. They were just one of many ways that Native Americans have come together to grieve and honor the memory of a young, up-and-coming actor and tribal member gone too soon.

“That’s the best thing we can do as indigenous people is to really bring more awareness for one another because these things shouldn’t be happening,” Yellowback explained.

As of Sunday, no cause of death has been identified, but a recent release from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office indicated that there was no foul play involved in Brings Plenty’s death. It still leaves friends and family with more questions and they hope for answers and closure soon.

“Justice for sure,” Yellowback said when asked how they hoped to find closure. “I know a lot of our relatives are missing and they don’t get that thorough investigation like any other relative would, honestly. I’m just wanting more awareness, thorough investigations and to be able to take of one another.”

Brings Plenty’s funeral is set to be on Tuesday in Eagle Butte, South Dakota.

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