Lawrence, Kansas – A Haskell Indian Nations University student, Cole Brings Plenty, 27, is reported missing. The family of the media student and actor, who is of Mnicouju Lakota descent, is urging the public to assist in locating him. Brings Plenty was last in contact early Sunday and was seen driving his white 2005 Ford Explorer with Kansas license plate 368PXB, heading southbound on U.S. Highway 59.
Lawrence police are actively searching for Brings Plenty, who is also a suspect in an alleged domestic violence incident. The police have issued alerts to area agencies and are seeking information on his whereabouts. Brings Plenty’s family, residing in South Dakota, has filed a missing person report with the Lawrence Police Department.
According to his father, Joseph Brings Plenty Sr., Brings Plenty missed an appointment and has not been responding to calls. Concerned about his son’s well-being, Joseph expressed worry and asked for any information regarding Brings Plenty’s location. Described as a 5-foot-10 Native American male with brown eyes and long black hair, Brings Plenty’s family is anxious for his safe return.
Efforts to locate Brings Plenty have extended to the community, with the Kansas City Indian Center collaborating with Haskell to spread awareness. Executive Director Gaylene Crouser, of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, emphasized the importance of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People movements. These movements seek to address the disproportionate rates at which Indigenous individuals go missing or are murdered, advocating for increased attention and resources for missing Indigenous persons cases.
Anyone with information on Cole Brings Plenty’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Lawrence Police Department at 785-832-7509 or the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at 785-296-4017. Anonymous tips can also be provided to Crime Stoppers of Lawrence and Douglas County at 785-843-8477. The Kansas City Indian Center will continue to provide updates on social media to aid in the search efforts.