Cole was last seen in Severna Park, Maryland early on the morning of April 11, 1994. The previous evening, he and his brother went to the Shangri-La restaurant and cocktail lounge, then to the Gingerbread Man Restaurant. Cole's brother eventually went home, and Cole returned to the Shangri-La in the 500 block of Ritchie Highway. He left at 1:30 a.m. He was alone and was visibly intoxicated. He may have planned to walk to the home he shared with his parents on Hodges Lane, four blocks away. Cole didn't have a car and often walked home after spending some time in local bars. He never arrived home and has never been heard from again. His family reported him missing 24 hours later, after they searched for him in the neighborhood without result.

Cole left behind all his belongings and money. He was close to his family and his girlfriend of three years, and they don't believe he would have left without telling them. His girlfriend spoke to him on April 10 and said he was in good spirits at the time. His parents and brothers now live in Texas. Cole is a graduate of Severna Park High School and was employed by K&J Maintenance Co. in 1994. He never picked up his last paycheck. His case remains unsolved.