‘Kai the hitchhiker’ heading to NJ in murder case

PHILADELPHIA – A man who gained Internet fame as “Kai, the hatchet-wielding hitchhiker” will be returning to New Jersey to face a murder charge in the death of a lawyer.

Caleb “Kai” McGillivary waived extradition Monday in a brief hearing in Philadelphia, where he was arrested earlier this month after being spotted in a Starbucks.

The 24-year-old McGillivary is charged with killing 73-year-old Joseph Galfy Jr. after the pair met in New York City. Authorities say Galfy was found beaten to death in his bedroom.

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READ MORE: Viral video star ‘Kai the Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker’ arrested in New Jersey murder

McGillivary became a minor Internet celebrity in February after intervening in an attack on a utility worker in Fresno, Calif. He gave an interview to a local television station describing how he used a hatchet to fend off the attacker. The clip has been viewed millions of times on YouTube and led to an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for McGillivary.

Authorities allege McGillivary and Galfy met in Times Square the weekend of May 11. They then drove to Galfy’s home where McGillivary spent at least one night and beat Galfy to death, according to authorities.