A 36-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a surfer in Coffs Harbour.
Kye Schaefer, 21, died after being found with “significant” stab wounds early on the morning of 2 May near a popular surf spot on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. He was wearing a wetsuit and is thought to have been preparing to enter the water, police said.
On Tuesday, police interviewed and charged Matthew Willacy over the death.
The commander of the state crime command’s homicide squad, Det Supt Daniel Doherty, said he believed Willacy was homeless and living in the area at the time of the incident.
He said the murder weapon, a “knife of some description”, had not been found. Police had also not found a bicycle they believed Willacy was riding on the morning of the stabbing.
“A month’s worth of dedicated, determined investigative work”, including evidence from witness accounts, CCTV and forensic evidence, formed the basis of the charge, he said.
He later told 2GB that the alleged murder “may be a robbery gone wrong”.
“He didn’t get to do what he loved and unfortunately his life was taken.”
A passerby found Schaefer in Park Beach reserve, just metres from the popular Park Beach surf spot, at about 6.40am that morning.
He was taken to hospital, where he later died. Police launched a homicide investigation and established a crime scene in a car park close to Coffs Harbour Surf Life Saving Club.
Schaefer’s family was “the first phone call” investigators made after charging the 36-year-old, Doherty told reporters.
“They’re still grieving and it’s very raw emotionally for them,” he said.
The man faced Coffs Harbour local court on Tuesday and will reappear at the same court on 13 August.
Speaking in mid-May, Schaefer’s parents, Pam and Tony, urged anyone to come forward with potential evidence.
“No words can describe how we’re feeling, the sheer loss of our faith in humanity,” Pam said.
“The love and support from our family and friends has been absolutely phenomenal, that’s what’s kept us out of this black hole.”
At the time of the incident, Coffs Harbour local and former World Championship Tour surfer Lee Winkler said the victim was known to younger local surfers and the incident was “shocking”.
He said the surf spot, known as “Parkie”, was in a peaceful, family-friendly area.
“It’s really out of the ordinary. I’ve never seen any physical contact in the water and I’ve been surfing here for 35 years now.
“I’ve never seen anything like this, never. The surf club is full of lots of kids doing ocean skills and meeting friends and it’s really shocking.”
The area is popular with dog walkers and is usually busy in the early mornings.
