California Surfing Icon Brutally Murdered in Costa Rica Home Invasion
A California surfing legend has been suffocated and stabbed to death by burglars who also zip-tied his girlfriend inside their Costa Rica residence, according to local police authorities. Surfer and hotel proprietor Kurt Van Dyke, aged 66, was discovered deceased beneath his bed with a sheet covering his head in the popular vacation destination of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on Saturday, as reported by the Tico Times.
Violent Break-In at Beachside Apartment
Van Dyke's girlfriend, identified only as Arroyo, 31, was taking a shower when two armed intruders forced their way into the couple's beachfront apartment and held them at gunpoint. The assailants murdered Van Dyke before binding Arroyo's hands and feet with zip ties and escaping in a stolen 2013 Hyundai Elantra taken from the property, according to details from the San Francisco Chronicle.
A preliminary medical examination revealed that Van Dyke's body displayed clear signs of asphyxiation alongside multiple stab wounds. A knife was located beside his body at the crime scene.
Heartbroken Family Remembers a Generous Soul
The surfer's devastated brother, Peter Van Dyke, memorialised him as an exceptionally benevolent and giving individual who would assist almost anyone in need. "Kurt would never hurt anybody, and he was always there when you needed him," he stated emotionally. "Everyone that he met knew this about his character."
Van Dyke had owned the renowned Hotel Puerto Viejo for four decades. Born into a family of influential surfers, he forged his own legacy riding the celebrated waves of Santa Cruz, California.
A Surfing Dynasty and Caribbean Legacy
His father, Gene, was a pioneering figure within the surfing community, while his mother, Betty, actively promoted women's participation in the sport during the 1950s and 1960s. Van Dyke relocated to Costa Rica in 1983, settling on the Caribbean coast specifically for its famous Salsa Brava waves.
Surfing these powerful, hollow swells earned him the affectionate nickname "King" among the local watersports community, as noted by the Chronicle. He once recounted receiving his first surfboard as a gift at age seven, describing the sport as both euphoric and addictive.
Community Shock and Tourism Concerns
Roger Sams, president of Costa Rica's Southern Caribbean Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, expressed profound sadness over the legendary surfer's tragic death to La Nación newspaper. "We've had a long period of calm and tranquility. This shocks and saddens us because the Caribbean has been so peaceful," Sams remarked.
He emphasised that this was an isolated incident involving a hotel owner, not a tourist, and should not deter visitors. However, reports indicate the Limón province, where Van Dyke's apartment and hotel are situated, accounts for approximately 25 percent of the nation's homicides.
Outpouring of Grief from Friends and Family
Friends and admirers shared heartfelt tributes online mourning Van Dyke's unexpected and violent passing. One friend posted, "Rest in peace, Kurt Van Dyke. Today we remember your spirit, your energy, and the light you brought into the lives around you. Some people leave footprints — you left waves. May you surf the clouds forever, free and fearless."
His cousin recalled their inseparable childhood, surfing and attending school together. "We were very close. This is in honor of him and condolences, words, talk story I will send to his immediate family and his brothers. From the generations past to present day."
Another tribute read, "We will miss you, bro. Rest in peace, Kurt. We'll see you on the next ride. My sincere condolences to the Van Dyke family and friends."
Beyond his surfing and hotel ventures, Van Dyke's family has operated the Van Dyke Ranch in Gilroy, California, for sixty years, marking a lasting agricultural legacy alongside his aquatic fame.
