A young surfer who was stabbed as he prepared to enter the water in a “senseless” act of violence could have been the victim of a robbery gone wrong.
Kye Schaefer was stabbed several times after arriving at a Coffs Harbor beach on the New South Wales mid north coast on May 2.
The injured 21-year-old was found in a parking lot and died after being rushed to hospital.
More than a month later, a 36-year-old man was arrested Tuesday at a local jail and charged with Schaefer’s murder.
Matthew Willacy was refused bail when his case came to Coffs Harbor Local Court.
He is scheduled to reappear before the same court on August 13.
Homicide Squad commander Danny Doherty said Willacy was known to police and was believed to be living in difficult conditions.
Kye Schaefer, 21, was allegedly stabbed in the neck and chest after leaving the surf at Park Beach on Ocean Parade in Coffs Harbor at around 6.40am on May 2.
Kye had been surfing at Park Beach, Coffs Harbor (pictured) when he was allegedly attacked in what police believe was a random and unprovoked attack.
He confirmed that Willacy had been charged with an unrelated robbery around the same time, not far from where Schaefer was attacked.
The 36-year-old is also believed to have been sleeping rough and has been in custody since May 2.
Detective Superintendent Doherty told reporters the attack on Schaefer was “a senseless and wicked act of violence”.
“It may have been a robbery gone wrong, but it was unprovoked and violent,” he later told Sydney radio 2GB.
“He’s gone surfing in his wetsuit and he’s putting it on and whatever happened between the interaction between this 36-year-old man and Kye, it resulted in him being stabbed multiple times.
“He couldn’t do what he loved and unfortunately his life was taken.”
New South Wales Police have appealed for help finding the knife used in the attack, as well as a bicycle being ridden by his alleged killer at the time.
Detective Superintendent Doherty said police had a strong circumstantial case to bring a murder charge based on CCTV footage, witness statements and forensic evidence.
Mr. Schaefer’s parents had previously asked that the person responsible for the stabbing come forward and “know his mistakes.”
The victim has been described as a keen athlete and skilled football player, who would be deeply missed by his friends and family.
“They are obviously still grieving and their hearts are broken,” Detective Doherty added.
The arrest comes less than three weeks after Pam and Tony Schaefer faced cameras to make an emotional plea to their son’s attacker to come forward.
“If you think about something, you may not think it’s important, but it can be something that makes a difference,” Ms. Schaefer said.
The heartbroken mother said her son’s death had caused them to suffer a “sheer loss of our faith in humanity.”
“The love and support (from) our family and friends has been absolutely phenomenal, that’s what has kept us out of this black hole,” he said.
Kye’s father added that the local community had been “very supportive”.
“We are very grateful to everyone for the assistance and help they have given us during these difficult times,” he said.
‘Just be honest and own up to your mistakes in life…we all make them.’
Pam and Tony Schaefer (pictured) urged their son’s attacker to come forward last month.
Police previously said they believe the attack was random and unprovoked.
Kye was treated at the scene and transported to Coffs Harbor Base Hospital, but died shortly after arriving due to serious injuries to his neck and chest.
TO GoFundMe A page has been set up to help his family pay funeral expenses and “help them cope with this terrible tragedy.”
The fundraiser described Kye as a caring person who “lived life to the fullest.”
The young surfer was also on the region’s representative soccer team.
Last month, police said they were looking for a man on a bicycle who was in the area at the time and could help them with their investigation.
