Kye Schaefer: Young surfer stabbed to death moments after emerging from the ocean in Coffs Harbour
- Surfer, 22, was stabbed on the beach in a shocking attack
A young surfer who was stabbed to death minutes after emerging from the waves in a regional NSW town has been remembered as a ‘gentle soul’.
Kye Schaefer, 22, was stabbed in broad daylight at a Coffs Harbor beach while still wearing his wetsuit after a morning surf on Wednesday.
His uncle Ralph previously made the shocking revelation that Kye’s mother worked at the same hospital where her son was rushed, where he sadly died.
Mr Schaefer’s uncle has called for law changes to tackle the rising number of knife attacks in Australia.
Still dressed in his wetsuit, Mr Schaefer was found with significant injuries next to his car near the Coffs Harbor Surf Life Saving Club about 6.40am on Thursday.
Paramedics treated him at the scene before taking him to hospital, where he later died.
His uncle spoke to Ben Fordham 2GB, said that in “the cycle of life, the people you love pass by. Sometimes it’s old age, sometimes it’s a terrible accident, and for our family right now it’s just murder.”
Kye Schaefer went surfing in the morning and was stabbed in a shocking attack on Wednesday
The young man was rushed to hospital after the incident in Coffs Harbor (pictured)
Ralph fought back tears and said his “first emotion is just anger.”
‘I am obviously angry with this attacker. But I’m (also) angry with politicians.’
He called on the NSW government to introduce a version of Jack’s Law, which was introduced in Queensland after Jack Beasley, 17, was killed during a fight with two other teenagers outside a supermarket in Surfers Paradise.
The ‘wanding’ laws allow police to use portable metal detectors in public places to uncover hidden knives.
“How long do we have to wait here in New South Wales? This will save lives. Why are they sleeping at the wheel? They are our sons and daughters,” Ralph said.
“I hope all the listeners and people in New South Wales are angry. He just came back from the surf (and was) stung eight times.
‘What the hell is going on? Give the police these powers and save lives. Do your job.’
On Friday, Coffs Harbor detectives continued their search for the attacker, no description of whom has been released.
Investigation options include whether the surfer encountered someone breaking into his car, and whether there was a connection between a confrontation at a second beach area on Thursday morning and the killing.
“We have identified some interesting items at a campsite around the jetty,” Detective Chief Inspector Guy Flaherty told reporters.
“This area may or may not be related, but at this time we have declared a crime scene.”
Ralph paid tribute to his ‘beautiful young’ nephew.
A description of Mr. Schaefer’s attacker has not been released. One of the questions is that he may have encountered someone breaking into his car
A crime scene was set up at Ocean Parade, where SES personnel were also present
“More than anything, he just had a heart of gold, he really did. (He had) a gentle, caring nature, (it) was his greatest asset. We’re just broken.’
Two weeks ago, NSW Premier Chris Minns said he was considering adopting Jack’s Law in NSW after a spate of high-profile knife attacks shocked Sydney.
Police, emergency services and transport unions have backed the change and condemned the ‘appalling incidence of knife crime among young people’.
But the Civil Liberties Council warned against a knee-jerk response to “violent and distressing, but isolated” incidents and worried that police would disproportionately search marginalized communities.