Josh Kruger

Josh Kruger (August 21, 1984 – October 2, 2023) was an American journalist and advocate. As a journalist, he wrote for publications like The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Magazine, the Philadelphia Citizen, and the Philly Voice about LGBT rights, addiction, AIDS, and homelessness.

Career Kruger moved to Philadelphia in 2002 to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied political science and anthropology. Following this, he worked in community development and local non-profits for five years. He left in 2021 to return to journalism.

Personal life Kruger had previously struggled with addiction to crystal meth and intravenous drugs. He was homeless for a time, and drew on this and his addictions in his writing and activism. He was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church on Locust Street in Philadelphia.

Death and legacy On October 2, 2023, Kruger was shot in the torso seven times while inside of his home in South Philadelphia. He was subsequently rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead the same day.

Multiple public officials memorialized him, including both of the state's U.S. Senators John Fetterman and Bob Casey Jr., as well as District Attorney of Philadelphia Larry Krasner.

On October 6, police announced they had identified 19-year-old Robert Edmond Davis as a suspect in Kruger's death.

Davis, according to his family, was in a drug-involved relationship with Kruger since Davis was 15 years old and Kruger was 35. Davis' family stated that he told them Kruger was threatening to post sexually explicit videos of him online.