Kai Lawrence, aka the Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker, has responded to how Netflix portrayed him in the new documentary about his life.
In short, he's not happy (more on this in a bit).
For those not in the know, Kai – whose real name is Caleb McGillvary – rose to viral fame back in 2013 thanks to a rather unique news interview.
The homeless nomad had been picked up by Jett Simmons McBride while hitchhiking, only for the driver to crash his vehicle into a pedestrian before attacking an innocent bystander.
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As reporters started to arrive on the scene, Kai spoke to local Fox affiliate KMPH in Fresno, California and his interview quickly earned millions of views.
People couldn't get enough of his enthusiastic portrayal of the moment he used a hatchet to save the woman from McBride's violent attack.
He came across as a loveable surfer dude, starting off by telling viewers: "No matter what you've done, you deserve respect. Even if you've made mistakes, you're loveable."
He described using the weapon with the words 'smash, smash, s-mash', a moment in the clip that went on to become the subject of countless memes.
But while it looked like Kai was set for a rags to riches story after he was given countless offers including a reality TV show deal with the producers of The Kardashians, his concerning behaviour soon became an issue.
Things came to a head later that year when he was arrested for the murder of 73-year-old lawyer Joseph Galfy Jr, a man he had met in Times Square before travelling with him to his home in New Jersey.
Although the hitchhiker initially claimed he was the victim of sexual assault, his story didn't add up and ultimately he was found guilty of the charge and is now serving a 57-year prison sentence.
This roller coaster of a story was explored in Netflix's latest documentary The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker, which dropped earlier this month.
While millions of people have tuned in to learn more about Kai and his life, he's spoken out against the streamer, claiming he's been 'ruthlessly exploited'.
Speaking from prison, he told The Tab via email: "So, Netflix is making a movie about my life story before I was arrested.
"But they refuse to pay me anything for it... if someone made a movie about OJ Simpson’s football career, you’d better believe he’d be making bank off it.
"Guys who kill and rape women get money for their pre-arrest fame – but I saved women from being killed and allegedly killed a rapist, so Netflix is ruthlessly exploiting me. What the f***?"
UNILAD has contacted Netflix for comment.
Topics: Netflix, Documentaries, Crime, True crime, US News
Daisy Phillipson