A legend of the California surf scene met a brutal end in Costa Rica, his life extinguished in a home invasion that has shaken the tranquil Caribbean community he’d come to call home.
Kurt Van Dyke, 66, was discovered lifeless under his bed, a sheet draped over his head, a chilling scene punctuated by the presence of a nearby knife. The savage attack occurred Saturday, leaving authorities to investigate a crime that appears to have begun as a robbery.
The horrifying ordeal unfolded while Van Dyke’s 31-year-old girlfriend was showering. Two armed men stormed their home, forcing the couple into a room at gunpoint. She was bound with zip-ties, assaulted, and forced to watch as valuables were stolen.
Investigators report Van Dyke suffered multiple stab wounds and signs of asphyxiation. Though the girlfriend sustained injuries, they were not life-threatening, and she provided a harrowing account of the events to police.
The intruders escaped in two vehicles, including the couple’s own 2013 Hyundai Elantra, vanishing into the Costa Rican landscape. The investigation is ongoing, but the circumstances have already sparked questions and grief.
Van Dyke’s brother, Peter, harbors a deep suspicion that this was more than a simple robbery. He spoke of individuals who harbored ill will towards Kurt, and admitted to limited knowledge of his brother’s girlfriend.
Peter recounted weekly conversations with Kurt, noting his brother had recently been in good spirits, yet also conveyed a sense of being “in control.” He is now working with the U.S. Embassy to arrange for the return of Kurt’s remains.
A chilling sentiment echoed through Peter’s words: “Law enforcement is not letting anything out.” He fears police may be without solid leads, and expressed concern about a changing Costa Rica, one increasingly plagued by violence.
Recent statistics paint a grim picture, with Costa Rica recording 833 murders in 2025 alone – an average of 2.4 killings per day. Much of this violence is attributed to escalating gang conflicts, often fueled by drug disputes.
The news sent ripples of shock through the local tourism industry. Roger Sams, president of Costa Rica’s Southern Caribbean Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, expressed profound sadness, lamenting the loss of the region’s long-held peace and tranquility.
Kurt Van Dyke wasn’t just a resident; he was a part of a surfing legacy. Hailing from Santa Cruz, California, he carried the torch passed down from his pioneering parents. His father, Gene, was a Northern California surfing innovator, while his mother, Betty, broke barriers for women surfers in the 1950s and 60s.
Kurt himself earned the moniker “King” along the Caribbean coast, a testament to his skill and presence in the water. He owned a hotel in Puerto Viejo and resided in Hone Creek, a community previously considered a haven of safety.
The loss of Kurt Van Dyke is a stark reminder that even paradise can be shattered, leaving behind a community grappling with fear and a family consumed by grief.
