EXCLUSIVE
A homeless man accused of stabbing a young surfer in an alleged “robbery gone wrong” is a father of young children who spouts self-help proverbs online.
Matthew Willacy, 36, allegedly stabbed Kye Schaefer, 21, in the neck and chest as he returned to his car after a morning surf at Coffs Harbour’s Park Beach on the New South Wales mid north coast , 2 of May.
Schaefer was found lying next to his car with serious injuries and was rushed to hospital, where he later died.
More than a month later, Willacy was arrested Tuesday at the Clarence Correctional Center in Grafton and charged with Schaefer’s murder.
Police will allege that Willacy, who was known to police and believed to be sleeping rough, committed an unrelated nearby robbery shortly after Schaefer was attacked.
He was arrested on May 2 and charged with robbery, and has remained in custody since.
Matthew Willacy, 36, (pictured) was arrested earlier this week over the death of a young surfer on the NSW Mid North Coast last month.
Daily Mail Australia can reveal Willacy is the father of several young children.
Their social media accounts are filled with memes that share inspirational quotes that promote personal growth, positive thinking, and the importance of practicing gratitude.
Some of the principles shared include “every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day” and “remember that there is always someone who is not as blessed as you.”
In early 2020, he revealed that he was making new changes in his life and was “feeling good.”
“Feeling good, my brain is working a little better…hopefully it’s time to be happy,” she wrote.
In another post, Willacy urged his fellow Indigenous people to look out for each other and offer each other support in times of need.
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.
‘Dear black men! Stop assaulting a brother when you pass by,” he wrote.
Talk to him, shake his hand and ask him if he’s okay!
‘Break the cycle.’
Kye, a keen athlete and skilled football player, has been remembered as a caring young man who “lived life to the fullest”, and his shocking death left his community reeling in grief.
Earlier this week, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty described the alleged attack on Schaefer as “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.
Willacy advocated against online violence and frequently shared inspiring posts.
“He couldn’t do what he loved and unfortunately his life was taken.”
Detective Superintendent Doherty said police had a strong circumstantial case to bring a murder charge based on CCTV footage, witness statements and forensic evidence.
Police will allege Willacy was seen on CCTV riding a stolen bicycle at the scene of the alleged crime and was wearing shoes which detectives believe were stolen.
Detectives have yet to locate the shoes or determine how they came to be in Willacy’s possession.
Police have asked for help to find the knife used in the attack, as well as the bicycle Willacy was allegedly riding at the time.
Willacy’s case is due to appear before Coffs Harbor Local Court on August 13.
