Police have charged a homeless man over the alleged stabbing death of a young surfer in his wetsuit at a Coffs Harbour beach last month.

Kye Schaefer, 21, had chest and neck injuries when he was found in the Park Beach Reserve Car Park on Ocean Parade on May 2 after being stabbed multiple times.

On Tuesday, detectives arrested a 36-year-old man at a prison in Coffs Harbour, on the NSW north coast.

Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said the accused was homeless and had been living in the area at the time.

He was known to police for petty offences.

Doherty said the man was charged with an unrelated robbery offence after the murder, and had been in custody since May 2.

But he said there was now a “strong circumstantial case” and sufficient evidence to charge him.

Doherty said there were numerous witnesses, CCTV and forensic evidence to allege the man was responsible for Schaefer’s death.

However, the murder weapon – believed to be a knife – had not been found and police were appealing to the public for assistance.

Police will allege the accused murderer was on a bicycle, which also has not been found.

“It’s been a month’s worth of dedicating, determined investigative work from detectives from Coffs and forensic evidence,” Doherty said on Tuesday.

“We’ll allege that’s a strong circumstantial case and sufficient enough to put this man before the court today.”

The accused was taken from the jail to Coffs Harbour Police Station, where he was charged with murder.

He has been refused bail to appear before Coffs Harbour Local Court on Tuesday.

Last month, Schaefer’s parents pleaded with the person responsible to hand himself in as police conducted their investigation.

Doherty described the “savage” attack on the surfer as “random and unprovoked”.

Police previously said they were investigating a possible link between the killing and an armed robbery near where Schaefer was attacked.

Doherty said police were determined to solve the murder.

“This is a 21-year-old who has been cut down in the prime of his life,” he said in May.

“His life has been savagely taken away from him in a random and unprovoked attack.

“This has been an incredibly sad incident and we’re very committed to finding the answers for the family.”

Schaefer’s mother Pam outlined the heartbreak the family had felt since her son’s death, while paying tribute to the local community for helping them through the tough times.

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

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

The 21-year-old has been described as a keen athlete and skilled soccer player who will be profoundly missed by his family and friends.

-with AAP