Parents plea after surfer stabbed in carpark

Parents of a 21-year-old surfer stabbed to death at a NSW tourist hotspot in May are pleading for information as police are yet to make any arrests.

Kye Schaefer died in hospital just hours after being fatally wounded about 6.40am on May 2 at Coffs Harbour on the state’s north coast.

Mr Schaefer’s parents are calling for the perpetrator to come forward.

“Just be honest and own up to your mistakes in life. Everyone makes them,” Tony Schaefer said.

Kye’s mother says any information could help.

“If you think of anything at all – you may not think it is important, yet it might be something that makes the difference,” Pam Schaefer said.

About 6.40am on May 2 emergency services were called to Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour, following reports Kye had been stabbed in the neck and chest.

He was found beside his orange Ford Falcon.

Kye was treated at the scene by paramedics but died at Coffs Harbour Base Hospital a short time later.

Their son was just going for a surf before work, his mother said.

“No words can describe how we’re feeling, the sheer loss of our faith in humanity,” Ms Schaefer said.

“I just don’t understand how a human being can do that. It’s shocked me a bit.

“The love and support our family and friends have been absolutely phenomenal, that’s what’s kept us out of this black hole.”

“The local community have been so supportive. We thank everyone very much for the assistance and help given us through these hard times,” Paul said.“It’s just a senseless loss that we don’t understand.”

Speaking to media last week, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said Kye was wearing his wetsuit next to his “pride and joy” – his orange Ford Falcon – when he was stabbed multiple times in what he described as a “random and unprovoked attack”.