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Viral Internet Star Arrested on Murder Charge

May 17, 2013  •  Post A Comment

An Internet star who has appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and has been featured on other television programs was arrested on a murder charge. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Kai the hatchet-wielding hitchhiker, whose real name is Caleb Lawrence McGillvary, was arrested in connection with the murder of New Jersey attorney Joseph Galfy.

Kai gained some fame thanks to a viral video that included a memorable news interview with him, which was featured by "The Colbert Report" on Comedy Central and led to an appearance on "Kimmel."

Authorities charge that the hitchhiker murdered the attorney, 73, who was found beaten to death in his bedroom, wearing only his socks and underwear.

According to the Sun-Times, statements on Kai’s Facebook page after the attorney’s death asked “what would you do?” if you awoke in a stranger’s house and found you’d been drugged and sexually assaulted. One commenter suggested hitting the culprit with a hatchet, to which Kai responded, "I like your idea," the story says.

Union County, N.J., prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow said, “I believe that everyone is a little safer with this person off the streets,” according to the Sun-Times report.

Kai’s viral video has been viewed more than 3.9 million times on YouTube, the report notes.

Here’s the “Colbert Report” clip:

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