Cole Brings Plenty's death: Hundreds of mourners gather on horseback for ... trends now
Actor Cole Brings Plenty, 27, was found dead in a wooded area in Kansas earlier this month
Days after his body was found in the woods of Kansas, 1923 actor Cole Brings Plenty had his tragic homecoming Sunday, with an entire community in rural South Dakota Sunday tearfully welcoming home a young man they'd described as their 'great hope.'
Hundreds of mourners packed a school gymnasium in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, filing past his open casket during a ceremony in a school gym decked out with traditional tipis and drum circles.
Police believe no foul play was involved in his death, but the officiant at Sunday's ceremony told mourners undertakers had to do 'a lot of work' on his body.
'When he first went missing, my little brother called me and said: 'Say a prayer for us, Cole's missing,' officiant Delane Has No Horse told the gathering.
'Well that phone call, I never thought could lead to this day.'
Cole, who was also known as Coco, was the nephew of Yellowstone star Mo Brings Plenty and appeared in the prequel 1923 as sheepherder Pete Plenty Clouds. He was a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe.
Kevin Costner and other stars from Yellowstone and 1923 did not attend the ceremony.
Police in Kansas have yet to release his cause of death but stated they do not believe there was any foul play.
Days before he was found, police issued a warrant for his arrest in relation to a domestic violence incident.
Officers received reports of a 'female screaming for help' at an apartment in Lawrence, according to 12News. Cole was seen leaving Lawrence in his car, which was later spotted near where his body was found.
Sioux tribe leaders have demanded a 'full and thorough' investigation of the actor's death.
Mourners were seen arriving on horseback for Cole Brings Plenty's homecoming ceremony on Sunday. An entire community in rural South Dakota tearfully welcomed home the young man they'd described as their 'great hope'
The ceremony at Cheyenne-Eagle Butte School began in the late afternoon when a horse-drawn carriage arrived with Cole's casket, which was draped in a traditional Lakota star quilt. Cole, who was a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, was described as a 'great hope' to the community
The carriage was accompanied by a caravan that included his family and friends, and a string of horses. They pulled up to the entrance as drums pounded, and incense filled the air
Hundreds of mourners packed a school gymnasium in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, filing past his open casket during a traditional ceremony on Sunday
Cole's father Joseph Brings Plenty, meanwhile, has called for people to 'please pray for Justice for Coco,' adding, 'We found my son, now we have to find out what happened and hold people responsible for what happened.'
At Sunday's wake, however, the father was focused solely on mourning his son. The dad, who has deep roots in the community, gathered with other family up front, embracing mourners who came to offer support.
