Tou Ger Xiong, a 50-year-old American comedian and activist, tragically lost his life after being kidnapped and fatally stabbed in Colombia. The Asian-American, hailing from Minnesota, was vacationing in Medellín with plans to spend the holiday season with his family when the incident occurred.
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Xiong had connected with a woman on social media and planned to meet her on December 10. However, the meeting turned disastrous when he was attacked and abducted by a group of men. Xiong reached out to a friend in Colombia, informing them that his captors were demanding $2,000 for his release and that he was being held at gunpoint.
Earlier that day, police had responded to a call at Xiong’s apartment where a woman was reportedly taking items from his residence but fled before police could apprehend her. Tragically, Xiong’s body was later discovered in the La Corcovado ravine, bearing over a dozen stab wounds and multiple bruises, indicative of a fall from over 60 feet.
Local law enforcement confirmed that Xiong was murdered before any ransom payment was made. They are investigating whether his death resulted from an attempted escape. One suspect has already been apprehended in connection with the kidnapping.
Xiong, who traced his ancestry to the Hmong people, was a valedictorian at Humboldt High School and immigrated to St. Paul in 1992. He dedicated his life to sharing personal stories across the United States to address racial discrimination and build cultural competency. In 2019, he was named a fellow by the Bush Foundation.
US Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn) expressed her condolences, stating, “This is a heartbreaking tragedy. Tou Ger was an incredible person who was constantly working to uplift his community.” Her office is assisting the family and the embassy in Colombia to bring Xiong’s body back to Minnesota. The community and loved ones mourn this senseless loss and remember his impactful life and work.
