A popular Hmong American comedian and activist has been killed in Colombia shortly after being kidnapped, reports the Minnesota Star Tribune.
His brother confirmed the death of Tou Ger Xiong on Facebook.
“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,” the family wrote 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.”
According to the Sahan Journal, kidnappers abducted Xiong while he was on a date Sunday with a woman he met on social media. A group of men reportedly asked his family for $2,000 ransom, then killed him the next day, reported the Spanish-language newspaper, El Colombiano.
Xiong was in Colombia on vacation. Police found him with more than a dozen stab wounds and police say he had fallen nearly 60 feet.
The Star Tribune reports he is the third American tourist murdered in the last month. Xiong is one of 11 children in his family. He escaped Laos in 1975 and spent three years in a Thai refugee camp before immigrating to the U.S.
He billed himself as the country’s first Hmong comedian. Longtime friend Pakou Hang said the comedian performed skits based on his experience as a refugee. He also attempted to bring first generation Hmong American children with other ethnicities.
His brother Eh Xiong told KTSP his brother regularly traveled to Colombia.
“They found some clothes, blood, you know, on the bag, and they were able to confiscate that and apprehend one of the suspects,” said Eh.
The killing has caught the attention of U.S. Senator Amy Klobucher.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy. Tou Ger was an incredible person who was constantly working to uplift his community. My office is in contact with Tou Ger’s family and the embassy in Colombia as they work to bring his body back to Minnesota. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this difficult time,” she said.
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