On June 12, 2018, three young people were found shot to death inside a home in the 9200 block of Bent Mountain Road in Bent Mountain, Virginia. Victims included 21-year-old Cole P. Kennedy, 20-year-old Brandon D. Dekle, and 18-year-old Miranda B. Trump. The discovery followed a concerned family member locating Miranda’s crashed vehicle on Honeysuckle Road and officers conducting a welfare check at the residence.

Kennedy and Dekle were described as best friends who had moved to the area from another state and worked together at the Bent Mountain Bistro. An acquaintance and coworker, 18-year-old Trevor E. Charles of Roanoke, was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. During interrogation Charles admitted to the killings, referring to hearing malicious voices and also calling the victims his friends. In September 2019 Charles pleaded guilty and received three consecutive life terms plus 13 years for the firearm counts, with no possibility of parole.

What details about Cole Kennedy’s life in the community or his time at the Bent Mountain Bistro might help anyone who knew him come forward with memories or information?