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A string of mysterious deaths of American men in Colombia has been linked to dating apps according to an article by Austin Landis in Medellin. Relatives of the victims are now seeking answers as they grapple with the loss of their loved ones. One of the victims, Tou Ger Xiong, had been an active member of the Hmong-American community in Minnesota and a comedian. He had been speaking to a woman online prior to his most recent trip to Medellin. A few weeks into his visit, Tou Ger contacted his brother asking for $2,000 but didn't explain why. His body was discovered the next day in a remote area of the city after being kidnapped and held for ransom. Colombian police have since arrested a woman and two men in connection with his death. The US embassy has issued a warning regarding the dangers of using dating apps, stating that there have been eight suspicious deaths of Americans in Medellin during November and December. It is unclear if the deaths are linked to a gang known for using dating apps to target victims. Medellin has seen a significant increase in violent killings of foreigners, with 32 recorded in the first 10 months of 2023, a 40% increase from the previous year. Some of these cases involved tourists being drugged, robbed, and killed by their Colombian dates. Prostitution is legal in Colombia, but the victims killed were not necessarily involved in this activity. The former director of Medellin's tourism observatory suggests that criminals often drug tourists with scopolamine, commonly known as "Devil's Breath". This sedative drug can cause victims to lose consciousness for up to 24 hours. A spokesperson for the tourism observatory stated that the majority of victims in 2022 were men, and many cases are still under investigation. One victim, Alok Shah, experienced vision impairment after bringing a woman back to his hotel room in late 2022. He suspects that scopolamine was the cause. Shah initially felt safe during his previous visits to Medellin, but after the incident, he is more cautious and no longer interacts with locals. The US embassy advises citizens to avoid taking dates to private locations, inform others about their plans, and not resist during a robbery. Mayor Federico Gutierrez of Medellin acknowledges the increase in violent deaths and has directed the police to crack down on sex trafficking in the city. More than 1.4 million foreigners visited Medellin as tourists in 2022, with over a quarter being American. The numbers for 2023 are expected to be even higher. Despite the tragic circumstances, the brother of one victim expressed forgiveness towards those responsible, emphasizing his brother's belief in the goodness of people. Relatives of the victims continue to seek justice and answers in an effort to prevent further tragedies.