Tou Ger Xiong, a 50-year-old Asian-American from Minnesota, tragically met his demise while vacationing in South America.
Upon arriving in MedellÃn on Nov. 29 for a holiday reunion with family, he encountered a woman through social media, planning to meet her on Dec. 10.
However, he was attacked and kidnapped by a group of men.
Around 7 p.m. local time, Xiong contacted a friend in Colombia, reporting that the kidnappers demanded $2,000 for his release at gunpoint.
Earlier that day, police had visited Xiong’s apartment due to a theft report, but the suspect fled before arrest.
Xiong’s lifeless body, bearing over a dozen stab wounds and bruises from a fall of over 60 feet, was discovered in the La Corcovado ravine.
Authorities confirmed his murder before any ransom was paid, launching an investigation into the circumstances, including the possibility of an attempted escape.
One suspect was apprehended, according to Xiong’s brother, Eh Xiong, who expressed difficulty grasping the reality of his brother’s death.
Tou Ger Xiong, connected to the Hmong people, was born in Laos in 1973, fleeing the communist takeover in 1975 with his family and later immigrating to St. Paul in 1992.
As a comedian and 2019 fellow of the Bush Foundation, Xiong shared personal stories nationwide to promote cultural understanding and combat racial discrimination.
US Senator Amy Klobuchar described his passing as a “heartbreaking tragedy,” highlighting his significant contributions to community upliftment.
