Joseph Dennis Cole, better known as Joe Cole, was a roadie, writer, and actor who worked with bands like Black Flag, Rollins Band, and Hole. He was also the son of actor Dennis Cole and the best friend of singer and actor Henry Rollins. On December 19, 1991, he was shot and killed in a robbery attempt outside his home in Venice Beach, California. His murder remains unsolved to this day.
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Who Was Joe Cole?
Joe Cole was born on April 10, 1961, in Los Angeles, California. He was the only son of actor Dennis Cole and his first wife, Sally Bergeron. He grew up in a showbiz family and wanted to become a famous actor like his father. He appeared in several films, such as The Book of Manson, Weatherman ’69, and Sir Drone. He also had a passion for music and became a roadie for punk rock bands like Black Flag and Rollins Band. He toured with them in the 1980s and documented their experiences in his journals, which were later published posthumously as Planet Joe. He also worked as a roadie for the band Hole and filmed their 1991 tour performances. He was in a romantic relationship with bassist Michelle Leon of the band Babes in Toyland.
Joe Cole was also very close friends with Henry Rollins, the singer of Black Flag and Rollins Band. They met in 1981 and bonded over their love of music, especially Jimi Hendrix and Black Sabbath. They lived together as roommates in various places, including New York, Texas, and California. They also collaborated on several projects, such as a documentary about homeless Vietnam veterans in Venice Beach, where they rented a house in the unsafe neighborhood of Oakwood.
How Did Joe Cole Die?
On the evening of December 19, 1991, Joe Cole and Henry Rollins attended a concert by Hole at the Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood. After the show, they went to an all-night grocery store and then headed back to their home in Venice Beach. On their way, they were ambushed by two armed robbers, who demanded money from them. They only had $50 between them, which angered the robbers. They ordered them to go inside their house for more cash. Rollins entered at gunpoint, while Cole was made to wait outside with the other robber. Suddenly, Rollins heard a gunshot and ran out the back door. He called the police, who arrived quickly, but it was too late. Cole had been shot in the face at close range and died on the spot.
The robbers fled the scene and were never caught. The police interviewed hundreds of people in the neighborhood, but could not find any solid leads. They released a composite sketch of one of the suspects, based on Rollins’ description, but no one recognized him. The motive for the murder was unclear, as the robbers did not take anything from the house or the victims. The case remains open, but inactive.
How Did Joe Cole’s Death Affect His Family and Friends?
Joe Cole’s death was a devastating blow to his family and friends, especially his father, Dennis Cole, and his best friend, Henry Rollins. Dennis Cole, who was a successful actor in the 1960s and 1970s, became an activist against violence on television after his son’s murder. He also suffered from depression, alcoholism, and financial problems. He died in 2009 of liver failure, without ever knowing who killed his son.
Henry Rollins, who was with Joe Cole when he was killed, was traumatized by the incident. He kept a plastic container of soil soaked with Cole’s blood and his phone as mementos. He also dedicated his music and spoken word performances to his memory. He said in an interview, “He was my best friend, my brother, my partner in crime. I miss him every day.”
Joe Cole’s death also inspired several songs by other artists, such as Sonic Youth’s “JC” and “100%”, and Rollins Band’s self-titled debut album. He was also remembered by the band Hole, who dedicated their album Live Through This to him.
Why Is Joe Cole’s Murder Still Unsolved?
Joe Cole’s murder is one of the many cold cases that remain unsolved in Los Angeles. The reasons for this are manifold, but some of the possible factors are:
- The lack of witnesses and physical evidence. The only eyewitness to the crime was Henry Rollins, who could not identify the robbers. The crime scene was also contaminated by the police and the media, who arrived shortly after the shooting. There was no DNA, fingerprints, or ballistic evidence left behind by the killers.
- The low priority and resources given to the case. The police were overwhelmed by the high crime rate and gang violence in the area at the time. They also had to deal with other high-profile cases, such as the Rodney King beating and the subsequent riots. The case of Joe Cole, a roadie and writer, was not considered a priority by the authorities.
- The reluctance of the community to cooperate with the police. The neighborhood of Oakwood, where the murder took place, was known for its distrust and hostility towards the police, who were seen as corrupt and abusive. Many residents were afraid or unwilling to talk to the police, fearing retaliation from the criminals or the cops themselves.
What Can Be Done to Solve Joe Cole’s Murder?
Joe Cole’s murder is a tragic and senseless crime that deserves justice. His family and friends have never given up hope that his killers will be found and punished. There are some things that can be done to help solve the case, such as:
- Raising awareness and public interest in the case. The media and the public can play a vital role in keeping the case alive and putting pressure on the authorities to solve it. The more people know and care about the case, the more likely it is that someone will come forward with new information or clues.
- Offering rewards and incentives for information. The police and the family and friends of Joe Cole can offer rewards and incentives for anyone who can provide useful information or leads to the case. This can encourage potential witnesses or informants to break their silence and cooperate with the investigation.
- Using new technology and methods to re-examine the evidence. The advances in forensic science and technology can offer new ways to analyze and interpret the existing evidence in the case. For example, DNA testing, facial recognition, and digital enhancement can help identify the suspects or link them to the crime.
- Reaching out to the community and building trust. The police and the family and friends of Joe Cole can reach out to the community of Oakwood and try to build trust and rapport with them. They can show them that they care about the case and the neighborhood, and that they are not there to harm or harass them. They can also appeal to their sense of justice and compassion, and ask them to help solve the case.
Conclusion
Joseph Dennis Cole cause of death was a brutal and unsolved murder that shocked and saddened his family and friends. He was a talented and passionate roadie, writer, and actor who worked with some of the most influential bands of his time. He was also the son of a famous actor and the best friend of a famous singer. He had a bright future ahead of him, but it was cut short by two unknown robbers who shot him in the face for no apparent reason. His murder remains a mystery, but not a forgotten one. His family and friends still hope that one day, his killers will be caught and brought to justice.
