14 DAY TRIAL // Internet celebrity Kai the hitchhiker, the man who bravely used a hatchet to defend a woman, has been arrested for murder.
Kai, whose real name is Caleb Lawrence McGillvary, has been booked on murder charges in the death of Joseph Galfy. The latter’s remains were uncovered in his home on May 13, The Telegraph reported.
According to LA Times, Galfy, an attorney, was found in his Starlite Drive home in Clark, New Jersey. John Holl, speaking for the District Attorney's office in Union County, describes that Galfy was found during a welfare inspection.
McGillvary wrote about being raped after being administered drugs against his will, on his Facebook page.
The post came on the same day that Galfy's body was recovered. Kai also said that he had no idea how he got in a stranger's house, and he was confused upon waking up.
“What would you do?” he asked Facebook audience.
A manhunt ensued, with police officers telling the public to look out for Jai, who may have cut his hair to avoid detection.
Police were offering a $5,000 (€3,900) reward for information on his whereabouts. McGillvary has been apprehended and he is being held under a $3 million (€2.33 million) bond.
The drifter became a viral web sensation under the monicker "Kai the hatchet-wielding hitchhiker,” after he defended a woman from the driver that offered her a ride.
The motorist allegedly ran her down deliberately, and he was described as a racist in an interview that made the funny and enthusiastic Kai a crowd favorite. He used a hatchet to chase him away from the PG&E employee.
“Smash, Smash, SmAAaash!!!” became Kai's catchphrase.
He started posting online and he was going under the nicknames Kai Lawrence, Caleb Kai Lawrence or Kai Nicodemus.