Toccoa “Can Man” Found Dead

By Charlie Bauder, WNEG Radio, Toccoa

In Stephens County, a man often seen walking around collecting aluminum cans from the side of the road has been found dead.

According to Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, his office is conducting an investigation as to the cause and nature of the man’s death.

“I was called by two different individuals about Wilfred Kallenback,” Shirley said. “Most people around Toccoa know him by the ‘Can Man.’  He and his mom and dad used to pick up aluminum cans. His parents had died, but he continued to pick up cans. However, no one had seen him in a couple of weeks.”

Shirley says he sent deputies out to Kallenback’s house last week where it appeared there had been a fire.

“They had to break into the house and found him in the back bedroom,” he said. “There had been a fire and we called the fire marshal’s office in. It looks like the origin of the fire was from the refrigerator.”

Kallenback’s body was taken to the GBI Crime Lab in metro Atlanta for autopsy, Shirley said.

Rumors had been circulating around the county that Kallenback’s death may not have been accidental because it was believed by some that the “Can Man” had a lot of money stashed in his house.

However, Shirley says that his office does not believe foul play was involved.

“I know there are a lot of rumors out there; especially on social media,” Shirley said. “Don’t believe any of those rumors. It doesn’t appear to have been anything other than a tragic accident.”

Shirley said he should know more once the autopsy results come back from the Cirme Lab.