Costa Rican authorities are investigating the killing of Kurt Van Dyke, a California surfer and longtime resident of the country, who was found dead in his home on the Caribbean coast over the weekend.
Officials said the killing appears to have occurred during a robbery, and no arrests have been announced.
What Authorities Say About the Killing
Costa Rica’s Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) said officers responded to a report of an armed break‑in Saturday morning at a residence in the Cahuita area of Limón province. Investigators identified the victim as Van Dyke, 66, a U.S. citizen originally from Santa Cruz, California.
According to preliminary findings released by authorities and cited by local outlets, at least two armed suspects entered the residence, threatened Van Dyke and a 31-year-old woman who was with him, and held them for several minutes before stealing valuables. Investigators believe Van Dyke was killed during the incident and the suspects fled.
Police said Van Dyke suffered stab wounds and signs of asphyxiation. His body was sent to Costa Rica’s judicial morgue for further examination to determine the exact cause and manner of death. The woman survived the attack and was treated for injuries that were not considered life‑threatening, authorities said.
Officials said the suspects fled the scene in vehicles, including one taken from the property, and investigators are reviewing security camera footage as the case remains under investigation.
Where the Killing Happened
The killing occurred in the Cahuita area, near Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a Caribbean coast region known for tourism and surfing.
Kurt Van Dyke: Surfer and Expat Hotel Owner
Van Dyke was a Santa Cruz native from a well‑known California surfing family and was regarded as a longtime figure in the surf communities of both California and Costa Rica.
His father, Gene Van Dyke, was an early Northern California surfing pioneer, and his mother, Betty Van Dyke, was among the women who helped popularize the sport in the 1950s and 1960s.
Kurt Van Dyke had lived in Costa Rica for decades and owned Hotel Puerto Viejo, a lodging popular with surfers and travelers. Friends and family have described Van Dyke as deeply connected to the local surf culture and hospitality scene.
“My brother was a very benevolent, giving person who would help just about anybody,” Kurt’s brother, Peter Van Dyke, told the San Francisco Chronicle. “Kurt would never hurt anybody, and he was always there when you needed him. Everyone that he met knew this about him.”
Investigation Ongoing
Costa Rican authorities said the case remains open and that no suspects have been arrested. Officials have not announced a motive beyond stating that the killing appears linked to a robbery.
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
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