Crime & Safety

Parents of 'Kai the Hitchhiker:' He Has Behavioral Issues, Was in Treatment Homes

Caleb Lawrence McGillvary, a.k.a. 'Kai the Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker,' has been charged with the murder of Clark resident Joseph Galfy.

In the interview that went viral and propelled 'Kai the Hitchhiker,' who is to Internet fame, the 24-year-old said he has no family, but two people claiming to be his parents have now come forward to speak on their son's behalf.

In an interview with The Star Ledger, Gil McGillivary, 57, of Ontario, Canada, and a Shirley of Alberta, Canada, (who spoke to the paper on the condition they not use her last name), said their son was raised in Canada—and in treatments homes where he battled behavioral problems.

"He was in treatment homes until he turned 18 and then they cut him loose and washed their hands of him," Gil McGillivary said in the report. "Caleb made accusations that he was physically and mentally abused at one of the homes. The system let my son down."

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Caleb McGillvary has been charged with theJr., 73, which occurred in Clark on May 12.

Galfy was found in his Clark home after hosting McGillvary overnight on May 11 and 12. The two met in Times Square, according to police, who have not yet revealed details why and how they met. Police said on May 12, McGillvary killed Galfy, who was found in his underwear and socks, severely beaten. McGillvary was arrested in Philadelphia on May 16.

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In a May 10 Facebook post, McGillvary described an abusive childhood, writing that he was confined, beaten and sexually abused before being put into treatment.

McGillvary became an Internet sensation in February: After saving a woman by smashing her attacker in the head with his hatchet, McGillvary’s offbeat personality in an interview made for a YouTube video that garnered nearly 4 million views (see it here - warning, contains profanity). He also recently appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

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READ MORE:

Fans of 'Kai the Hitchhiker' Want to Raise $3M in Bail Money

CAUGHT: 'Kai the Hatchet-Wielding Hitchhiker' Arrested in Philadelphia

UPDATE: 'Suspicious Death' of Clark Resident Now Ruled a Homicide

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