Kole Swartz was 18 and a redshirt freshman defensive end at the University of Montana when he died from a gunshot wound at his home in Clinton, Montana, on March 15, 2015. At 6 feet 5 inches he was remembered as a passionate young athlete with a booming voice, contagious laugh and fierce loyalty to friends and family.

The Missoula County Sheriff reported that the shooting occurred while Swartz was handling a firearm and that the discharge was accidental; there was no indication of foul play in those initial reports and no arrests or suspects were identified. His death prompted a legacy fund to cover funeral costs and establish a scholarship at the university in his name.

If anyone knew Kole, his routines, or the circumstances that day, please share information that might help complete the record.