American activist kidnapped, killed in Colombia after reportedly going on date with woman he met on social media

An activist from Minnesota was reportedly kidnapped and killed while visiting Colombia, according to his family. The American tourist was murdered after going on a date with a woman he met on social media, according to local reports.

Tou Ger Xiong, 50, was a popular activist, comedian, motivational speaker, and day trader. Xiong reportedly traveled to Medellín, Colombia, on Nov. 29.

The brother of Xiong, Eh Xiong, said he got a call from Tou Ger on Sunday night and that he asked to borrow $2,000. He said Tou Ger was a day trader, so it wasn't unusual for him to ask for money.

"This time he's like, 'Do you have a couple thousand?' And I'm like, 'Yeah, no problem,'" Eh told KARE. "I said, 'When you do you want it?' And he said, 'I want it now because I'm in a bit of a situation here.'"

Eh wired the money the next morning but wasn't sure if his brother received the money or not.

Suddenly, Tou Ger stopped responding to text messages from his brother. Eh contacted Tou Ger’s friend in Colombia, who then filed a police report.

KSTP-TV reported, "Tou Ger’s roommate also told Eh that Tou Ger had called him saying he was 'held at gunpoint.' Eh made contact with the U.S. Embassy as well as Sen. Tina Smith and Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s office."

The body of Tou Ger Xiong was discovered on Tuesday.

“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,” his family said 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.”

“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.

Local newspaper El Colombiano reported, "His body was found in the waters of the La Corcovada ravine, in the La Pola neighborhood, with multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma."

The Colombian news outlet added that Tou Ger went on a date with a woman he met through social media networks, which "led to the kidnapping and subsequent death" of Xiong.

The sectional director of the Medellín Prosecutor's Office, Yiri Milena Amado, said Xiong "went out to meet a woman who had been contacted by him." At 7 p.m., Tou Ger "makes a call to a friend in the United States, from his cell phone, saying that they were asking him for 2,000 dollars for his release."

Authorities believe that at some point during the date, several men kidnapped Xiong and then forced him to contact friends and family for ransom money.

Investigators added that thieves robbed the apartment where he was staying.

"We were able to identify a woman who was taking some things out of an apartment and when the authorities were present, this person managed to escape," Amado said.

Eh told the New York Post about a mystery woman Xiong was close with. "He had been in contact with this woman before, and she was part of the ‘new friends’ he made on his trips down there."

Xiong's murder is the 27th violent death of a non-migrant foreigner this year in Colombia.

Eh said his brother knew about the dangers of traveling to Colombia as a tourist.

Eh told the Star Tribune, "He was aware of it. But he’s one of those people who only assumes the best in people. It’s almost like a second home, he loved it there."

Politicians from Minnesota expressed their heartbreak over Xiong's tragic death.

Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollom (D) said, "This is devastating news. My heart goes out to Tou Ger Xiong’s family & our entire Hmong community. As a comedian and activist, his work touched many lives in the Twin Cities and beyond."

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) stated, "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 Columbia as they work to bring his body back to Minnesota. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this difficult time."

Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) added, "What happened to Tou Ger is heartbreaking. Archie and I can't imagine what his family is going through. We're praying for all of them. I have been in contact with the State Department since we first learned he was missing and I will work to ensure his remains are safely transported back to Minnesota. My thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the entire Hmong community as they grieve the loss of Tou Ger, and hope they find strength in their memories of him."

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