Missing Cabazon man confirmed dead; cause and circumstances under investigation
Luis Avila
Update 7/23/25 – The Riverside Coroner’s Office has confirmed the identity of a man found dead this weekend as Benjamin Cole, a 42-year-old who had been missing since July 9. Officials say the exact date and time of his death remain unknown. Investigators also have not determined where the injury that led to his death occurred.
Update 7/22/25
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to News Channel 3 a dead person was found matching the description of Benjamin Cole; however, as of Monday afternoon, their identity has not been confirmed. The investigation remains ongoing.
Statement from Riverside County Sheriff’s Office:
“Cabazon Sheriff’s Station detectives are currently investigating the missing person case involving Benjamin Cole. On July 19, 2025, at 12:36 p.m., the search and rescue teams located a deceased subject matching the description of Benjamin Cole. The Riverside Sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau has not confirmed the identity of the deceased subject who was located. Therefore, this is still an active and ongoing investigation. Unfortunately, the social media post was inadvertently updated before confirmation was received.”
Original Report
CABAZON, Calif. (KESQ) – Benjamin Cole, a missing 42-year-old man last seen in Cabazon, was located Saturday evening according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
Authorities posted to X shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday that Cole had been located.
However, Riverside Sheriff’s confirming the investigation into the disappearance is ongoing. At this time, the condition Cole was found in is still unknown.
Prior to his disappearance, Cole had been missing since July 9. He was last seen at his residence, according to Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. But his wife, Tara Cole, says new information was captured on camera Friday evening.
“He was seen on the ring camera here at a distance getting out of his truck and going up on the hills and that was the last he was seen.”
Tara Cole, wife
News Channel 3 was unable to obtain a copy of the video but his wife sharing photos found on Benjamin’s Google account, believed to have been taken the night he went missing.
Tara sharing a possible explanation for his whereabouts.
“He came out here to prospect, he’s a new prospector looking at rocks and trying to find gems… He kind of just does things on a whim. He’s like ‘oh I’m just going out here.’ He’s an adventurer. He’s from Montana so he’s not afraid to get out there and go and be a little bit under prepared so that’s what we’re worried about the most right now.”
Tara Cole, wife
A search party was called off Friday because of weather conditions but patrols were present. Officials conducting a search Saturday morning.
Stick with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage on this story.