A comedian and activist from Minnesota was kidnapped and murdered while on vacation in Columbia.
Tou Ger Xiong, 50, a well-known activist in the Twin Cities Hmong community, was kidnapped in Medellín after going on a date with a woman he met on social media.
“It is with immense sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the discovery of the body of our beloved family member, Tou Ger Xiong, who had been the victim of a kidnapping and murder,” his family said in a statement. “This has been an incredibly challenging time for our family and we appreciate the support and understanding of our community during this difficult period.”
The family verified with media outlets that they are actively working with authorities to investigate the tragic crime.
Eh Xiong, Tou Ger’s brother, said, “I got a call from my brother on Sunday asking me for $2,000. He said the kidnappers wanted the money for ransom. I have no idea if my brother ever got the money.”
A Columbian media outlet reported that Xiong was found in a ravine with fatal stab wounds and what seemed to be wounds from blunt force trauma.
Xiong had been in Columbia since November 29th.
According to Xiong’s Facebook, which has over 19,000 followers, he attended a Karol G concert in Medellín a week before his death.
Xiong was born in Laos and lived in a refugee camp in Thailand before moving with his family to St. Paul as a child.
“This is devastating news,” U.S. Rep. Betty McCollom wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “My heart goes out to Tou Ger Xiong’s family & our entire Hmong community. As a comedian and activist, his work touched many lives in the Twin Cities and beyond.”
Xiong’s family says they are in the process of starting a foundation in his name.
“Tou Ger Xiong was a cherished member of our family, and the pain of his loss is indescribable,” the family says. “We extend our deepest gratitude to all who have offered their condolences, thoughts and prayers.”
