068 Kai the Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker Part 02 Artwork

Canadian Creepies

Welcome to Canadian Creepies—the podcast that digs into the dark corners of Canada’s past and present. Your hosts Valerie, Ali, Amanda Joy ( host of Down the Crooked Path), and sometimes Kyle explore the true crime cases that haunt us, the paranormal encounters that make us question what’s real, and the unsettling folklore that lingers just out of sight.

From cults to cold cases, ghosts to government cover-ups, we don’t just tell the stories—we ask why they still matter.

It’s creepy. It’s Canadian. And it’s probably going to keep you up at night.

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Canadian Creepies

068 Kai the Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker Part 02

May 28, 2026 • Canadian Creepies • Season 2 • Episode 68

0:00 | 1:44:47

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Episode Description

In 2013, the internet crowned a new folk hero almost overnight.

A drifter with a hatchet, a viral interview, and a catchphrase that spread across the internet faster than anyone could stop to ask an important question: who was Kai, really?

In Part 02, we follow the collapse of the legend.

Researched by Christine, this episode examines the murder of Joseph Galfy, the investigation that transformed a viral celebrity into a murder suspect, and the courtroom battle that followed. We break down Kai’s self-defense claims, the prosecution’s argument, the infamous train station footage, the appeals process, and the media circus that continued long after the guilty verdict.

We also examine the broader themes surrounding the case: internet celebrity culture, media exploitation, mental health, homelessness, and the dangerous speed at which social media turns complicated people into heroes… and then villains.

Finally, we explore the 2023 Netflix documentary The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker and ask whether the media learned anything at all from Kai’s story—or whether the machine simply found another tragedy to monetize.

This episode contains discussion of violence, sexual assault, mental illness, and homelessness.

Stay curious… and stay creepy.

✨ This episode also highlights the work of Niagara Reproductive Justice (NRJ)— Learn more or support their work by visiting their social media or emailing niagarareproductivejustice@gmail.com.

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Edited by Kyle McDonnell