Kentucky man sues Netflix after he shows up with hatchet in 'Hitchhiker' docuseries
When Taylor Hazlewood began receiving messages from friends asking why he was in a true-crime documentary, he was understandably confused.
The Kentucky respiratory therapist's image appears in the film "The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker," a series released earlier this year on Netflix about convicted murderer Kai McGillvary.
A lawsuit filed with Texas courts on April 10 alleges the streaming company defamed and misappropriated his likeness by using a photo of Hazelwood posing with a hatchet that he'd posted to Instagram nearly four years prior, according to reporting from the Washington Post. Now, he's seeking $1 million for the damages.
“Hazlewood is, of course, beyond angry that Netflix would implicate and connect him to such a salacious and infamous story and individual,” lawsuit said.
Unexpected appearances: She paid a photographer $100 for photos. Now she's the face of an erotic novel, breast reduction ads.
In 2019, the Post reported, Hazelwood was with a friend and spotted the hatchet, which reminded him of the book "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen. He posed for the photo, published it on Instagram and for about three years that was the end of the story — until Jan. 10, when he started receiving messages from friends, family and acquaintances around the country asking about his surprise appearance on the show.
The report said Hazlewood, now 27, is "suing Netflix to vindicate himself," per his attorney, Angela Buchanan. He wants to make it clear that he had nothing to do with the incident and prevent similar instances from happening to others, the report said.
McGillvary became an internet celebrity about 10 years ago, after a viral interview with KMPH in Fresno, Califonia.
Kai McGillvary: Former viral star 'Kai, the hatchet-wielding hitchhiker' found guilty of murder
In the clip, McGillvary went into gory detail about how he'd used a hatchet to save a woman from an attacker who he'd been hitchhiking with, but not before telling the audience that "no matter what you've done, you deserve respect." The clip became a sensation, with McGillvary eventually appearing on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and becoming a well-known figure on the web.
A few months later, McGillvary was arrested and accused of killing New Jersey attorney Joseph Galfy. He was convicted of first-degree murder in 2019, nj.com reported. McGillvary has also sued Netflix, alleging the company “ruthlessly exploiting a hero’s life story for money," according to the Fresno Bee. That case is still pending.
Contact reporter Rae Johnson at RNJohnson@gannett.com. Follow them on Twitter at @RaeJ_33
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Netflix sued over 'Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker' by Taylor Hazelwood
