Kye Schaefer update: Surfer stabbed to death as he arrived at the beach was allegedly knifed in 'robbery gone wrong' - as homeless man is charged with murder
- Man, 36, charged with murder after surfer attacked
- Kye Schaefer, 21, allegedly stabbed in head and chest
- READ MORE: How innocent-looking school teacher hid his dirty secret
A young surfer who was stabbed as he prepared to enter the water in a 'senseless' act of violence might have been the victim of a robbery gone wrong.
Kye Schaefer was stabbed multiple times after he arrived at a Coffs Harbour beach on the NSW Mid North Coast on May 2.
The injured 21-year-old was found in a car park and died after being rushed to hospital.
More than a month later, a 36-year-old man was arrested at a local prison on Tuesday and charged with Mr Schaefer's murder.
Matthew Willacy was refused bail when his case went before Coffs Harbour Local Court.
He is set to reappear at the same court on August 13.
Homicide Squad commander Danny Doherty said Willacy was known to police and believed to be living rough.
Kye Schaefer, 21, was allegedly stabbed in the neck and chest after leaving the surf at Park Beach on Ocean Parade in Coffs Harbour around 6.40am on May 2
Kye had been surfing at Park Beach, Coffs Harbour (pictured) when he was allegedly set upon in what police believe was a random and unprovoked attack
He confirmed Willacy had been charged over an unrelated robbery about the same time, not far from where Mr 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 Mr Schaefer was 'an iniquitous, senseless act of violence'.
'It may be a robbery gone wrong but it was unprovoked and it was violent,' he later told Sydney radio 2GB.
'He's gone to the surf with his wetsuit and he's putting that on and whatever happened between the interaction between this 36-year-old man and Kye, it's resulted in him being stabbed multiple times.
'He didn't get to do what he loved and unfortunately his life was taken.'
NSW Police have appealed for help to find the knife used in the attack, as well as a bicycle his alleged killer was riding at the time.
Det Supt Doherty said police had a strong circumstantial case to pursue a murder charge based on CCTV footage, witness statements and forensic evidence.
Mr Schaefer's parents had previously appealed for whoever was responsible for the stabbing to come forward and 'own up to your mistakes'.
The victim has been described as a keen athlete and skilled soccer player, who would be profoundly missed by his friends and family.
'They're obviously still grief-stricken and their hearts are torn apart,' Det Supt Doherty added.
The arrest comes less than three weeks after Pam and Tony Schaefer fronted cameras to make an emotional plea for their son's attacker to come forward.
'If you think of anything at all – you may not think it is important: yet it might be something that makes the difference,' Ms Schaefer said.
The grief-stricken mother said the death of their son had seen them 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's kept us out of this black hole,' she said.
Kye's father added that the local community had been 'so supportive'.
'We thank everyone very much for the assistance and help given us through these hard times,' he said.
'Just be honest and own up to your mistakes in life… everyone makes 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 Harbour Base Hospital, but died shortly after arriving from serious neck and chest wounds.
A GoFundMe page has been started to help his family pay for funeral costs and to 'help them deal with this terrible tragedy'.
The fundraiser described Kye as a caring person who 'lived life to the fullest'.
The young surfer was also in the representative soccer team for the region.
Last month, police said they were searching for a man on a bike who was in the area at the time and may be able to assist them with their investigation.
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