Philadelphia reporter and gay rights activist Josh Kruger, who was murdered last month after playing down soaring crime in his city, allegedly began a sexual relationship with his accused assailant while the teen was underage at just 15.
The relationship also involved the use of illegal drugs, according to reports.
CBS Philadelphia that Kruger and Davis were at least acquaintances and that Kruger was also supposedly in the process of trying to “help” him.
Davis’s family told the Philadelphia Inquirer that Kruger began sexually abusing their son when he was just 15.
The assailant’s parents also told the outlet that Kruger was threatening to post sexually explicit videos of him online.
The family also said that their account was drawn from recent conversations with their son after witnessing his life fall apart as he tried to keep his relationship with Kruger a secret.
Robert’s mother, Danica Davis, said her son called her on Friday after Philadelphia police went into her home searching for him.
She said she told Robert to turn himself in but said he was too scared.
While Robert Davis did not specifically admit to killing Kruger, he did tell his mother he would be blackmailed.
“He was scared,” Damica Davis said.
“He said: He (Kruger) wanted me to do some stuff I didn’t want to do and if I didn’t do it, he said he was going to blackmail me.”
The Inquirer also notes that the family’s allegations come as police detectives have discovered explicit photos and messages in Kruger’s phone.
However, the Inquirer’s sources would not say whether the images or messages were connected to Davis.
However, they said the photos were “disturbing” and turned them over to police.
If the allegations are true, it means Kruger was guilty of multiple serious crimes, including statutory rape, providing illicit substances to a minor, and blackmail.
As The Daily Fetched reported last month, Kruger was shot dead in the 2300 block of Watkins Street at 1:28 a.m. Monday.
Kruger, 39, sustained several gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen.
He was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:13 a.m.
In July, Kruger posted on X:
“Look, it’s that lawless land of liberals in Philly where shootings are…dropping to levels not seen in years.”
“We are dependent on national trends, for better or worse. It’s unfair to blame local cops for rising crime, inaccurate to credit with drops,” he wrote.
Look, it's that lawless land of liberals in Philly where shootings are…dropping to levels not seen in years.
— Josh Kruger (@JoshKrugerPHL) July 20, 2023
We are dependent on national trends, for better or worse. It's unfair to blame local cops for rising crime, inaccurate to credit with drops: https://t.co/PkUA70joAC
Kruger’s website said he had experience with “homelessness, addiction, H.I.V., poverty, and trauma,” infused his work, which appeared to have a liberal slant.
Never go to Philadelphia https://t.co/GhTlP16G6i
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) October 2, 2023
NBC News reported that Kruger was known as a left-wing justice advocate and wrote for news outlets such as The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Philadelphia Citizen.
He also worked as a spokesperson for the Office of Homeless Services under Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration.
Kenney said he was “shocked and saddened” by Kruger’s death.
“Josh cared deeply about our city and its residents, which was evident both in his public service and in his writing.”
READ: Alex Soros: ‘Defeating’ MAGA is My Main Priority in 2024
