Tou Ger Xiong, a 50-year-old artist and activist from Minnesota, was killed in Medellín, Colombia, after being taken hostage. The Hmong-American was in Medellin to spend the holidays with his family. His visit was cut short by a kidnapping on December 10, 2023.
Abducted by gunmen while on a date with a woman he met via a social media platform, Xiong relayed a ransom demand of $2,000 to a friend. The ransom went unpaid, and Xiong was subsequently murdered.
Xiong’s body was located in the La Corcovado ravine on December 12, 2023. He sustained multiple stab wounds and injuries consistent with a fall from an estimated 60 feet. His brother, Eh Xiong, confirmed the death.
Xiong, born in Laos in 1973, fled to the U.S. with his family, spending four years in a Thai refugee camp before resettling in St. Paul, Minnesota. A standout student, he was valedictorian at Humboldt High School and later attended Carleton College. Xiong pursued a career as a motivational speaker, storyteller, and rapper, and achieved recognition as America’s first Hmong comedian.
He was known for his efforts in cultural understanding and addressing racial discrimination. In 2015, he organized the inaugural Hmong Minnesota Day at the Minnesota State Fair and received a Bush Fellowship in 2019.
Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota offered her condolences, citing Xiong’s commitment to his community. The investigation into his death, involving both Colombian and U.S. authorities, has led to one arrest and is focused on locating the female suspect connected to the case.
Xiong’s family has announced the creation of a foundation in his honor, aimed at sustaining his dedication to cultural advocacy and social justice.
