Close Menu
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Relationships
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Celebrity Kids
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
  • Disclaimer
  • About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contribute & Advertise with Us
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest Vimeo
GistFestGistFest
  • Entertainment

    Jennifer Garner and John Miller Share Rare PDA at Charity Event

    June 26, 2025

    Megan Thee Stallion Love Island Appearance: How the Rap Star’s Glam Bikini Look Stole the Show

    June 25, 2025

    Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge Revisit Lavish Wedding Venue Amid Backlash Over Cheating Rumors

    June 24, 2025

    Sarah Jessica Parker Carrie Bradshaw Role: Why She Found Playing the Role So Emotionally Draining

    June 23, 2025

    Exes Megan Fox and MGK Unveil Their Baby Girl’s Name Following ‘Celestial Seed’ Mix-Up

    June 20, 2025
  • Lifestyle

    Jennifer Garner and John Miller Share Rare PDA at Charity Event

    June 26, 2025

    Megan Thee Stallion Love Island Appearance: How the Rap Star’s Glam Bikini Look Stole the Show

    June 25, 2025

    Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge Revisit Lavish Wedding Venue Amid Backlash Over Cheating Rumors

    June 24, 2025

    Sarah Jessica Parker Carrie Bradshaw Role: Why She Found Playing the Role So Emotionally Draining

    June 23, 2025

    Exes Megan Fox and MGK Unveil Their Baby Girl’s Name Following ‘Celestial Seed’ Mix-Up

    June 20, 2025
  • Relationships

    Jennifer Garner and John Miller Share Rare PDA at Charity Event

    June 26, 2025

    Megan Thee Stallion Love Island Appearance: How the Rap Star’s Glam Bikini Look Stole the Show

    June 25, 2025

    Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge Revisit Lavish Wedding Venue Amid Backlash Over Cheating Rumors

    June 24, 2025

    Sarah Jessica Parker Carrie Bradshaw Role: Why She Found Playing the Role So Emotionally Draining

    June 23, 2025

    Exes Megan Fox and MGK Unveil Their Baby Girl’s Name Following ‘Celestial Seed’ Mix-Up

    June 20, 2025
  • Tips & Tricks

    Jennifer Garner and John Miller Share Rare PDA at Charity Event

    June 26, 2025

    Megan Thee Stallion Love Island Appearance: How the Rap Star’s Glam Bikini Look Stole the Show

    June 25, 2025

    Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge Revisit Lavish Wedding Venue Amid Backlash Over Cheating Rumors

    June 24, 2025

    Sarah Jessica Parker Carrie Bradshaw Role: Why She Found Playing the Role So Emotionally Draining

    June 23, 2025

    Exes Megan Fox and MGK Unveil Their Baby Girl’s Name Following ‘Celestial Seed’ Mix-Up

    June 20, 2025
  • Celebrity Kids

    Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge Revisit Lavish Wedding Venue Amid Backlash Over Cheating Rumors

    June 24, 2025

    Exes Megan Fox and MGK Unveil Their Baby Girl’s Name Following ‘Celestial Seed’ Mix-Up

    June 20, 2025

    DDG Files Restraining Order Against Halle Bailey

    June 10, 2025

    Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Divorce Timeline

    June 2, 2025

    Meryl Streep’s Daughter Louisa Jacobson Shares Her and Partner, Anna Blundell’s Plans for Valentine’s Day

    February 14, 2025
Subscribe
GistFestGistFest
Home » Hundreds Mourn Death of Minnesota Comedian Kidnapped and Killed in Colombia
General

Hundreds Mourn Death of Minnesota Comedian Kidnapped and Killed in Colombia

DamilareBy DamilareFebruary 6, 20243 Mins Read
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit Telegram Email
Tou Ger Xiong
Source: Pinterest
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
 Tou Ger Xiong
Source: Pinterest

The world never forgets a life well lived. Hundreds gathered together recently to say their final farewells to Minnesota comedian and Hmong community activist Tou Ger Xiong. 

Xiong was allegedly kidnapped and killed last year December during a trip to Colombia. It all started when his brother in the U.S. received a call from Medellin, where Xiong was visiting a friend. 

It was Xiong telling him about the kidnapping, and his captors were demanding $2,000 in ransom. This is according to accounts by prosecutors and Xiong’s brother. They found Xiong’s body in a wooded area on December 11.

News of his demise shocked the St. Paul community, and tributes flooded in from friends, loved ones, and elected officials. “He was one of the funniest and most sincere people I’ve ever met,” Mayor Melvin Carter said on X. “His light enlivened everyone around him.”

ALSO READ: Northern California Police Arrest 14-Year-Old Boy in Connection to High School Shooting

In accordance with Hmong tradition, Xiong’s memorial will take place over three days. It will start with the ceremony and end with his committal service.

At the funeral, his brother Eh Xiong spoke to NBC News about saying his final farewell. He described his brother as someone with a deep love for his community. He said Xiong had a spirit that always pushed him to fight for justice.

“It’s sad, my family is sad,” he said. “But we are glad that we can finally put closure to his life here and then move beyond this point.” Those present at his funeral said they’d remember him as someone who touched their lives, bringing with him light and laughter.

POLL—Do You Support a Single-Payer Healthcare System (Medicare for All)?

“Everywhere he goes, he leaves a little thing that people will never forget about him,” a friend at the funeral said. Xiong was born in Laos in 1973, and two years later his family fled to Thailand as refugees.

The family spent four years in a refugee camp then settled in St. Paul, where Xiong continued to spend his life advocating for the Hmong community. In a statement after Xiong’s death, former Minnesota state Sen. Mee Moua, who is also Hmong, spoke about his impact while alive and its depth.

​​“Today the Hmong diaspora around the world, whether in Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, China, France, Australia, Canada, South America, and the United States of America, have lost a one of a kind modern day hero,” she said. 

ALSO READ: NYPD Defends Traffic Stop of Central Park 5 Council Member, Releases Body Cam Footage

“Tou: In a time when we needed belonging, your stories anchored our Hmong children in their roots. Your songs and your dance invited elders to embrace the new without fear of losing their cultural identity.”

Xiong no doubt lived a great life, and even though he has passed, his memory will live on in the hearts of those he has touched. 

You Might Also Like:

Viral Taylor Swift Deepfakes Emphasize the Need for Legal Protection for Victims

UN Fires Palestinian Refugee Agency Staffers, Claims They Joined Hamas Attack

Nikki Haley Blasts Trump for Trying to Blow Up Congressional Border Deal

Senior Trade Officials Walk Out Amid Staff Exodus, Signaling the End to Biden’s Trade Dreams

“It’s a Slap in the Face!” Black Male Voters Criticize Biden Over Millions Sent to Ukraine

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleUtah Signs Controversial Bill to Throw Transgenders in Jail for Using Bathrooms of Their Preferred Gender
Next Article Missouri Republican Leader To Expel Conservative Senator Amid Rising Tensions in the State Senate

Related Posts

General

Jessica Alba Paid Tribute to Estranged Husband Cash Warren on First Father’s Day After Their Split

June 19, 2025
Entertainment

Justin Bieber Tweaks Instagram Post After Revealing Argument Amid Hailey’s Vogue Moment

May 26, 2025
Entertainment

Singer Chris Brown Arrested in the UK for an Alleged Assault Incident From 2023

May 20, 2025
Latest Posts

Jennifer Garner and John Miller Share Rare PDA at Charity Event

June 26, 2025

Megan Thee Stallion Love Island Appearance: How the Rap Star’s Glam Bikini Look Stole the Show

June 25, 2025

Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge Revisit Lavish Wedding Venue Amid Backlash Over Cheating Rumors

June 24, 2025

Sarah Jessica Parker Carrie Bradshaw Role: Why She Found Playing the Role So Emotionally Draining

June 23, 2025

Exes Megan Fox and MGK Unveil Their Baby Girl’s Name Following ‘Celestial Seed’ Mix-Up

June 20, 2025

Jessica Alba Paid Tribute to Estranged Husband Cash Warren on First Father’s Day After Their Split

June 19, 2025

King Charles’ Father’s Day Message 2025: Subtle Nod to Prince Harry Sparks Speculation of Royal Reconciliation

June 18, 2025

Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom Facing Turbulent Times in Their Relationship

June 17, 2025
About
About

We’re a news, entertainment and lifestyle hub that is dedicated to giving you quality insight on the latest lifestyle news, movie and TV news, celebrity news and lots more.

Contact us: info@gistfest.com

MOST POPULAR

Alina Nikitina: Everything We Know About the Russian Model

October 4, 2023

Jennifer Rauchet: Inside the Life of Pete Hegseth’s Wife

August 30, 2023

Jacob’s Ladder Piercing: All You Need To Know

July 21, 2023

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox!

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
  • Disclaimer
  • About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contribute & Advertise with Us
© 2025 GistFest. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.