Cole Brings Plenty's death: Hundreds of mourners gather on horseback for Yellowstone spinoff actor's open casket ceremony

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.

Before having the casket opened, Delane Has No Horse advised mourners not to get too close to the body.

'Don't touch the body,' he said, pointing out that the undertakers 'had to do a lot of work'.

The gathering included people of all ages, including parents with children, many of whom looked up to Cole as an inspiration, saying he showed respect for his roots even while achieving success as an actor.

'Cole was the great hope for a younger generation for Cheyenne River and for our native children nationwide,' family friend Bobbie Jo Kraft said. 'He was out in the world making a way for himself, while sharing our culture. He was a role model for our community, showing kids that there's a whole world out there.'

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.

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.

Inside, the casket was placed in front of three tipis, and flanked by portraits of a beaming Cole.

A program distributed at the wake, entitled Coco's Light, points out that his Lakota name was Wakiyan, meaning thunder, and he spent most of his young life in Eagle Butte. It described him 'always happy, smiling and thinking of others' feelings.' It also mentioned his varied interests including playing the drums, dancing, drawing, poems and riding horses. He grew up boxing with his family in the Wolves Den Boxing Club and competed in over 75 registered bouts. Later, he enjoyed modeling at fashion shows, and traveling the world.

'Cole's dad said he was the native version of Matthew McConaughey because he was so cool, his dad was so proud of him,' a program circulated at the wake said

Cole's uncle is Yellowstone star Mo Brings Plenty, 54 (right). It was his uncle who introduced Cole to acting

Cole Brings Plenty starred on two episodes of the Yellowstone spinoff 1923 as Pete Plenty Clouds. Leaders from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe have since demanded a full investigation into his death

Mo's Yellowstone co-star, Cole Hauser, who portrays Rip Wheeler on the series, shared a poster on his Instagram, urging followers to provide any information if they had seen Cole since Easter evening in Kansas City

His uncle Mo Brings Plenty introduced Cole to acting.

'He was obviously an up-and-coming star,' the program states, citing several small parts in Yellowstone, followed by the recurring role in 1923.

'When his dad first saw him on the screen from his debut episode on the 1923 series, he was star struck with his own son,' it adds. 'Cole's dad said he was the native version of Matthew McConaughey because he was so cool, his dad was so proud of him.'

Cole also participated in a podcast called Good Morning Indian Country 'which helped him become part of the native movement, in changing toward a positive narrative for our nations. Cole was becoming a spokesperson, representative to the world for our Indigenous Nations.'

'Coco, all we have is the goodness that you left us; the way relatives and people are supposed to treat each other, the love and care you had for the world, ' the program continues. 'We love you always Coco and we will do our best to live by your example.'

There will be another wake at the school Monday night. A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, followed by concluding services at Brings Plenty Family Cemetery in Red Scaffold, South Dakota.