Transcribe your podcast
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Tonight, the family of a Minnesota man, desperate for answers, after they say he was kidnapped and killed while visiting Colombia.

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I'm out of words to describe. I just don't even know how I feel right now.

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50-year-old Tujer-Zong, an artist and activist, had been traveling in South America when he called his brother asking for money while on a date Sunday night.

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This time he was like, Hey, you have a couple of thousand? I was like, Yeah, no problem. What do you want? He said, I want to know. I'm in a bit of situation here. I go, Oh, yeah, I can do that.

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His family growing more fearful when Zhang stopped responding to texts.

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Woke up in the morning at 7:00 AM, I text him back say, Hey, I thought you say you need money. You still want the money? Text me back if you still want the money.

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No answer. According to a local prosecutor, Zhang was kidnapped during a date and killed when he could not make the payment. His body later found in a wooded area covered in stab wounds. His family still searching for answers about how this shocking crime unfolded.

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I was confused. To me, honestly, I don't know what the motive is.

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Zhang had visited Colombia in the past, posting photos and videos to social media as recently as October with an.

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Unidentified woman.

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A refugee from Laos, Zhang and his family moved to St. Paul when he was a child. In recent years, he became a well-known comedian and community activist. Minnesota Senator, Amy Klobushar, issuing a statement saying in part, This is a heartbreaking tragedy. Tujer was an incredible person who was constantly working to uplift his community.

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He truly believes in equity work and fighting for the underprivilege. Many times I always tease him and say, You're not getting paid. Why are you doing it? But it's what motivate him.

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A tragic loss made even more confounding by the mystery that still shrouds his final moments.

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He'll draw everybody in. That's the type of people he is.

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Yeah, Allison, so heartbreaking for this family trying to find answers from so far away. We do know that Senator Tina Smith from Minnesota is also working with the State Department to try to get the remains brought back home so they can have a funeral.

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Allison.

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Stephen Romo, thank you.

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Thanks for watching. Stay updated about breaking news and top stories on the NBC News app or follow us on social media.