You could keep in mind Kai the Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker from a viral 2013 interview that turned a homeless surfer into an in a single day Web sensation. He was considered a hero, per Esquire, after memorably explaining how he “suh-mashed” a person whereas hitchhiking to cease the driving force from attacking a lady. The clip has garnered over 3 million views because it debuted virtually 10 years in the past.
Kai appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Reside!” posing himself as samaritan on the time and even grabbed the eye of producers for a present of his personal, however it by no means got here to fruition, per Decider. Nevertheless, his quarter-hour of fame got here to a tough cease when he was arrested for killing a person simply two months after going viral.
A documentary exploring the story, “The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker,” was launched on Netflix this week and unpacks the problems surrounding the glorification of web stars.
This is all the pieces you might want to know in regards to the new documentary.
Who Is Kai AKA Caleb Lawrence McGillvary?
Caleb Lawrence McGillvary, referred to as Kai, was launched to the world by way of viral video in February 2013. He was 24 years outdated on the time and residing a nomadic life within the States after rising up in Canada.
When he recorded his viral interview, Kai was hitching a trip to Fresno, Calif.
On the time, Kai informed information station KMPH that Jett Simmons McBride picked him up whereas hitchhiking, and whereas they have been en route, McBride allegedly informed the nomad that he raped a 14-year-old lady. Kai then mentioned that McBride hit a pedestrian with the automobile on function.
As soon as the trip got here to a halt after hitting a pedestrian, bystander Tanya Baker ran to assist however McBride attacked her. At that time, Kai mentioned he stepped in and stopped the assault by hitting McBride with a hatchet.
“A man that massive can snap a lady’s neck like a pencil stick. So I f–king ran up behind him with a hatchet. Smash, smash, SUH-MASH!” Kai recalled within the viral interview.
Kai additionally shared a constructive message to the digicam, stating, “It doesn’t matter what you have completed, you deserve respect. Even for those who make errors, you are loveable.”
His remarks garnered viral consideration, together with an auto-tuned music that garnered 11 million views.
Days later, a KMPH launched a follow-up interview with Kai and revealed he could have been extra troubled than the world first thought.
In keeping with the report, his previous “is darker and extra gut-wrenching than you’ll be able to think about.”
What Occurred to the ‘Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker?’
Simply months after Kai’s interview went viral, the nomad was wished by the police.
A 73-year-old man was discovered overwhelmed to loss of life in his New Jersey dwelling, in accordance with People, when investigators discovered proof in the home connecting Kai to the crime.
Kai was arrested for killing the person, Joseph Galfy, whom he met in Time Sq., per Esquire, after migrating from the West Coast to New York Metropolis, in Might 2013.
As soon as Kai was discovered by police at a Philadelphia bus station, he confessed to the homicide however claimed it was self-defense after Galfy allegedly sexually assaulted him. He pleaded not responsible to the crime and was held on a $3 million bond after being deemed harmful, CNN reported on the time.
After spending six yr in jail awaiting trial, he was convicted of first diploma homicide and was sentence to 57 years in jail in 2019.
The place Is Kai Now?
Kai is at present serving his sentence at New Jersey State Jail and is not eligible for parole till October 27, 2061, in accordance with Decider. He filed to attraction his sentence in 2021 however was denied.
He nonetheless claims he is harmless.
Supply: Entrepreneur