Funeral held for Twin Cities comedian, activist who died in Columbia

Tou Ger Xiong (Bush Foundation photo)

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO) – Gov. Tim Walz was among those at the funeral of a Twin Cities comedian and activist who died last month in South America in what authorities say was a kidnapping and murder.   

Tou Ger Xiong, 50, arrived in Columbia in late November. He called a friend in the U.S. hours after he got there, saying he was kidnapped and his captors were demanding $2,000.   

Xiong’s body was found 12 days later.    

Police say there were signs of violence. They say Xiong was held against his will, tied up, tortured, and beaten.