Nat King Cole’s great nephew known for ‘boundless positivity’ stabbed to death, suspect arrested

Nat King Cole great nephew death

Ricardo Gayle, left, is accused of stabbing Tracy Cole, whose grandfather Freddy Cole was Nat King Cole’s brother, in the neck, chest and head Sept. 24 in downtown Atlanta. Gayle is facing a murder charge. Police say the two knew each other but did not elaborate. (Gayle photo: Fulton County Jail; Tracy Cole picture: Obituary)

The Atlanta Police Department has made an arrest in the stabbing death of the great nephew of iconic jazz singer Nat King Cole.

Ricardo Gayle, 41, is accused of stabbing Tracy Cole, whose grandfather Freddy Cole was Nat King Cole’s brother, in the neck, chest and head around 2 a.m. Sept. 24 near Centennial Park in downtown Atlanta. Paramedics took Freddy Cole, 31, to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Cops in Fairburn, a suburb of Atlanta, arrested Gayle during a traffic stop on Saturday, Atlanta police said. Gayle will be charged with murder, according to police. Atlanta police said the slaying was “not a random act” and that Tracy Cole and Gayle were “familiar with each other.” Police did not give a motive.

Family friend Camille Love told ABC affiliate WSB that was a nice young man who was often with his grandfather.

“He was delightful, you know? He was just kind, gentle, easy-going. Liked the good life. You know, just an all-around good guy,” she told the outlet.

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