In a shocking turn of events, American comedian and activist Tou Ger Xiong, 50, met a gruesome demise while on vacation in Medellín, Colombia. Xiong, an Asian-American hailing from Minnesota, had planned to spend the holiday season with family but found himself entangled in a horrifying incident after going on a date with a woman he met online.
The fateful encounter took a dark turn on December 10 when Xiong, who had planned to meet the mysterious woman, was attacked and abducted by a group of men. The assailants, demanding a ransom of $2,000 (8 million Colombian Pesos) in cash for his release, held him at gunpoint. The disturbing incident unfolded at around 7 p.m. local time.
According to reports from local newspaper El Colombiano, Xiong managed to make a desperate call to a friend in Colombia, revealing the dire situation he was in. Tragically, before any assistance could be provided, Xiong’s life was brutally taken by his captors.
Hours prior to the abduction, police had visited the apartment where Xiong had been staying. A woman, reportedly taking items from the residence, fled before law enforcement could apprehend her. This incident raises questions about a potential connection to Xiong’s later tragedy.
The discovery of Xiong’s lifeless body in the La Corcovado ravine further intensified the already chilling narrative. His corpse bore over a dozen stab wounds, along with multiple bruises, suggesting a fall from a height of over 60 feet. Local law enforcement confirmed that the suspects committed the murder before any ransom was paid. An ongoing investigation seeks to determine whether Xiong’s demise was triggered by an attempted escape.
Heartbroken by the devastating loss, Xiong’s brother, Eh Xiong, revealed the shocking details surrounding the investigation. “They found some clothes, blood, you know, on the bag, and they were able to confiscate that and apprehend one of the suspects,” he told KSTP.
Reflecting on his brother’s tragic fate, Eh Xiong expressed the surreal nature of the situation. “It’s kind of funny how I don’t even feel like he’s really gone yet. Right? I feel like at any moment now he could be knocking on the door,” he shared, encapsulating the disbelief and grief that often accompany such sudden and senseless acts of violence.
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Tou Ger Xiong, with ancestral ties to the Hmong people, had risen to prominence as a valedictorian at Humboldt High School. Born in Laos in 1973 during his father’s service with the CIA, he and his family sought refuge in a camp in Thailand to escape the Laos communist takeover in 1975. In 1992, Xiong immigrated to St. Paul, leaving behind a troubled history for a chance at a better life.
As a 2019 fellow of the Bush Foundation, Xiong dedicated himself to sharing personal stories nationwide, aiming to build cultural competency and address racial discrimination. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through his community, prompting statements of grief and condolences from figures such as US Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn). In a statement to KSTP, she said, “My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this difficult time.”
As the investigation unfolds, the circumstances surrounding Tou Ger Xiong’s death remain shrouded in mystery, leaving a void in the hearts of those who admired and respected him.
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