Nat King Cole’s great-nephew Tracy Cole is stabbed to death in Atlanta: Jazz legend relative, 31, was found with multiple wounds at apartment complex

The great-nephew of legendary American singer Nat King Cole was stabbed to death in downtown Atlanta as police continue to hunt for a suspect in the brutal murder.

Tracy Cole, 31, was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital around 2 a.m. Thursday after being found in an apartment complex, but was later pronounced dead due to the severity of his stab wounds.

Police have not yet said whether they have identified a suspect or a motive for the crime.

Tracy was the grandson of Freddy Cole, brother of Nat King Cole, who was also an American jazz singer and pianist.

“He brought an abundance of joy everywhere he went,” said his pastor Kevin Murriel.

Tracy Cole was the great-nephew of the late American singer, jazz pianist and actor Nat King Cole

Tracy’s father, Freddy Cole (left) and his great-nephew, Natalie Cole (right), were also prominent figures in the music industry

Tracy was extremely active on social media and used it to promote his passion and business as a cigar salesman. He worked part-time at the Fellowship Cigar Lounge in downtown Atlanta, as well as the Cigar City Club in Sandy Springs.

Atlantic Cigar Week took place from September 11 to 17 and members of the festival spoke out about Tracy’s sudden death.

“The Atlanta cigar community is deeply saddened by the loss of such a vibrant soul. We at ACW extend our sincere condolences to the family and close friends of @tc_smokes,” Atlantic Cigar Week wrote alongside a photo of Tracy.

Tracy’s friend Octavia Oliver told the story Fox 5 that he was a big part of the Atlanta community.

‘Always smiling, always making fun of his lame jokes. Everyone loved him,” Oliver said.

He was also a longtime member of Cascade United Methodist Church in Atlanta, and senior pastor Kevin Murriel praised the 31-year-old.

Considered a “cigarette enthusiast” by many of his friends and family, Tracy worked as a salesman and consultant in the industry.

He was also a longtime member of Cascade United Methodist Church in Atlanta, and Senior Pastor Kevin Murriel had nothing but nice things to say about Cole

“Tracy had that personality that really transcended culture, that transcended race, that transcended class. Tracy made everyone a friend. He was family. He was more than a young man in the community. He was that kid walking the floors and aisles of the church,” Murriel told Fox 5.

Not only was Tracy the great-nephew of the Route 66 singer, who died in 1965, but he was also a great-nephew of Natalie Cole, a Grammy-winning singer who died in 2015.

Tracy also reportedly traveled the world with his musician grandfather Freddy, who passed away in 2020. He was one of Freddy’s four grandchildren.

Tracy also had a passion for music from his musically talented roots and was very proud of where he came from.