EXCLUSIVE
A homeless man accused of stabbing a young surfer in a suspected ‘robbery gone bad’ is a father of young children spewing 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 NSW Mid North Coast, on May 2.
Mr Schaefer was found 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 Grafton’s Clarence Correctional Center and charged with Mr. Schaefer’s murder.
Police will allege that Willacy, who was known to police and believed to have been sleeping on the street, committed an unrelated nearby robbery shortly after Mr Schaefer was attacked.
He was arrested and charged in connection with the robbery on May 2 and has been in custody since then.
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.
His social media accounts are full of memes sharing inspirational quotes – which 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 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 that he was “feeling good.”
“I’m feeling good, my brain is working a little better… time to be happy, I hope,” he wrote.
In another post, Willacy urged his fellow Indigenous men to care for each other and offer each other support in times of need.
Kye Schaefer, 21, was reportedly 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 was 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 mean-spiritedly mugging a brother as you walk by,” he wrote.
‘Talk to him, shake his hand, ask if he’s okay!
‘Break the cycle.’
A keen athlete and accomplished footballer, Kye is remembered as a caring young man who ‘lived life to the fullest’ – while his shocking death left his community in grief.
Earlier this week, Chief Inspector Danny Doherty described the alleged attack on Mr Schaefer as ‘an unjust, senseless act of violence’.
“It may have been a botched robbery, but it was unprovoked and violent,” he later told Sydney radio 2GB.
“He went to the surf with his wetsuit and put it on, and whatever happened between this 36-year-old man’s interaction with Kye, it led to him being stabbed multiple times.
Willacy advocated against violence online and regularly shared inspirational messages
“He couldn’t do what he loved and unfortunately his life was taken.”
Det Supt Doherty said police had a strong circumstantial case to prosecute a murder charge based on CCTV footage, witness statements and forensic evidence.
Police allege Willacy was seen on CCTV riding a stolen bicycle to the scene of the alleged crime – and was wearing shoes that detectives believe were stolen.
Detectives have yet to locate the shoes or determine how they came into Willacy’s possession.
Police have asked for help finding the knife used in the attack, as well as the bicycle Willacy is believed to have been riding at the time.
Willacy’s case is due to appear in Coffs Harbor Local Court on August 13.