A prominent California-born surfer who had built a life on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast was found murdered inside his home, shocking residents of a region long regarded as peaceful. Kurt Van Dyke, 66, was discovered dead on Saturday beneath his bed with a sheet covering his head and a knife lying nearby, according to authorities and local media reports.
Investigators from Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department said the body bore multiple stab wounds and showed indications of asphyxiation, findings that will be confirmed through an autopsy. The circumstances surrounding the killing suggest a violent confrontation inside the residence located in Hone Creek, near Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Van Dyke’s 31-year-old girlfriend, identified by officials only as Arroyo, told police that two armed men forced their way into the home while she was in the shower. According to her account, the intruders held the couple at gunpoint and confined them to a room. She said the attackers restrained her by zip-tying her hands and feet, assaulted her, and stole valuables before turning their attention to Van Dyke. The suspects later fled the scene using two vehicles, including the couple’s Hyundai Elantra. Authorities confirmed that she survived the incident without serious injuries.
The killing has unsettled the local community in Limón province, an area known more for tourism and surfing than violent crime. Local business leaders described the incident as deeply disturbing, noting that the southern Caribbean coast had experienced a long period of relative calm prior to the attack.
Van Dyke was a well-known figure among surfers and expatriates in the region. Originally from Santa Cruz, California, he came from a family closely associated with the early development of surfing culture in Northern California. His father, Gene Van Dyke, was regarded as a pioneer of the sport, while his mother, Betty, was among the early women surfers who helped popularise the activity during the mid-20th century. Drawn to Costa Rica in the early 1980s by the powerful Salsa Brava surf break, Van Dyke eventually settled there permanently, earning the nickname “King” within the local surf community and operating a small hotel in Puerto Viejo.
Family members said they were struggling to understand the motive behind the killing, with his brother suggesting the possibility that factors beyond a simple robbery could be involved. Investigators have not publicly confirmed a motive and continue to examine evidence as the search for the attackers continues.
The case comes amid a broader increase in violent crime across Costa Rica in recent years. Official figures show hundreds of homicides recorded annually, many linked to organised crime and drug trafficking disputes, raising concerns about security even in areas traditionally considered safe.
