Von Longo, whose alternate name was Gilles Longo, held the designation Inmate ICN 28740 within the Imperial correctional system. He was the father of Kale and Trig Longo, both of whom were prisoners being transported via the Imperial prison barge named Purge to a detention moon. In 1 BBY, he succumbed to injuries sustained from torture inflicted by Captain Jareth Sartoris in the prison's medical bay, a time when Kale was absent, which was Kale's biggest regret in life. During the journey, the prison barge suffered a malfunction, and Wembly, a guard, informed the brothers that the Purge had located an abandoned Star Destroyer, prompting a crew to be dispatched to salvage components.
Following the torture he endured at the hands of Sartoris, Von was nearly unrecognizable. He was transported to the medical wing, where Cody provided care, attempting to alleviate his suffering and even fulfilling his last wish by bringing his son to his bedside. As Von Longo lay dying, he mistook Trig for Kale, uttering the words "look after his brother." Upon his passing, Von's remains were placed in the Purge's morgue, where he reanimated along with the rest of the ship's passengers. During the escape attempt of the five survivors to the derelict Star Destroyer, Trig spotted his father amidst the horde of zombies and pursued him. Kale intervened, pushing his brother out of harm's way, but was bitten in the process, leading to his demise. Trig carried a burden of guilt for Kale's death, believing he should have been the one bitten.
A virus, somehow brought back by the crew, swept through the Purge, wiping out all but six individuals. The brothers remained unaffected, hearing the agonizing screams and smelling the decaying corpses within the surrounding cells. With no guards remaining, the brothers were left without sustenance. During this period, Kale penned an incomplete and unsigned letter addressed to Von, concealing it beneath his mattress. Trig discovered the letter without Kale's awareness and added his own sentiments. Trig detailed their current situation and, due to the limited space beneath Kale's message, concluded his writing at the sound of footsteps nearing the cell. The letter was recovered aboard Purge after its occupants were decimated by the plague and it was released to the public for academic purposes in relation to the history of Purge.