California Surfing Icon Kurt Van Dyke Slain in Brutal Costa Rica Home Invasion
Kurt Van Dyke, a 66-year-old legendary surfer from California, was brutally murdered during a violent home invasion at his residence in Costa Rica. His girlfriend was restrained with zip ties and assaulted while the assailants stole valuables before fleeing the scene in two vehicles, including the couple's 2013 Hyundai Elantra.
Gruesome Discovery and Investigation Details
Authorities discovered Van Dyke's body beneath his bed with a sheet covering his head and a knife nearby following the savage attack that occurred on Saturday. The Costa Rica Judicial Investigation Department reported that Van Dyke sustained multiple stab wounds and showed signs of asphyxiation prior to an autopsy being conducted.
His 31-year-old girlfriend, who has not been publicly identified, was taking a shower when two armed men forced their way into the home. The intruders held the couple at gunpoint, zip-tying the woman's hands and feet before assaulting her and stealing several valuable items. She fortunately did not sustain serious physical injuries during the ordeal.
Brother Suspects Deeper Motives Behind the Killing
Peter Van Dyke, the victim's brother, expressed suspicion that there may be more to the murder than a simple robbery. "There are people who like him and there are people who don't. It was more nefarious," he told the California Post, noting that he didn't know much about his brother's girlfriend and that some individuals in the area harbored negative feelings toward Kurt.
The grieving brother revealed that he had spoken with Kurt just days before the incident and that his sibling appeared to be "in good spirits" while reassuring him that "he had everything under control." Peter Van Dyke has been coordinating with the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica regarding the repatriation of his brother's remains as the investigation continues.
Costa Rica's Rising Violence Concerns
The murder occurs against a backdrop of increasing violence in Costa Rica, which recorded 833 homicides in 2025 as of December 16th according to the Tico Times. This averages approximately 2.4 killings per day, with many deaths linked to gang conflicts and drug-related disputes.
"Costa Rica isn't like it was 15 years ago," Peter Van Dyke lamented. "There's a lot of murder, a lot of thievery." Local tourism officials expressed shock at the incident, with Roger Sams, president of Costa Rica's Southern Caribbean Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, telling 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."
Surfing Dynasty Legacy
Kurt Van Dyke hailed from Santa Cruz, California, where he was part of a prominent surfing dynasty before relocating to the Caribbean and eventually settling in Costa Rica. His father, Gene Van Dyke, was recognized as a surfing pioneer in Northern California, while his mother Betty broke barriers as one of the pioneering women surfers during the 1950s and 1960s.
Kurt himself earned the nickname "King" along the Caribbean coast for his exceptional surfing skills. He owned a hotel in Puerto Viejo, located in the Limone province on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, and resided in nearby Hone Creek, an area previously considered safe and tranquil.
The investigation remains ongoing with authorities releasing limited information. "Law enforcement is not letting anything out," Peter Van Dyke noted, adding his belief that police may not yet have identified suspects in his brother's killing.
