Kurt Van Dyke Found Dead After Apparent Home Invasion in Costa Rica
Kurt Van Dyke, a 66-year-old surfer originally from Santa Cruz, California, was found dead following an apparent robbery at his home in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Local authorities responded to a call on Saturday, Feb. 14, and have opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
What happened: timeline and investigation
Emergency services received a call around 11: 50 a. m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 14, after a man was discovered unresponsive in a room in the municipality of Talamanca. Law enforcement personnel who later arrived at the scene confirmed the man was deceased. Officials have said the body showed signs consistent with strangulation and stab wounds, and an autopsy is underway.
Investigators have described the incident as an apparent robbery and say two men, at least one of them armed, entered the home and threatened the occupants. Items were taken from the residence, and a vehicle was apparently stolen during the incident. A woman who was present at the property sustained minor injuries and has been treated for those wounds. Authorities continue to question witnesses and collect evidence as they piece together the sequence of events.
Van Dyke's life, legacy and community reaction
Van Dyke had lived in Costa Rica for decades and was a well-known figure in the local surf community. He owned a lodging business in Puerto Viejo that drew international visitors and was regarded as a fixture of the town’s surf culture. Born and raised in California, he came from a family widely associated with the sport in Northern California and was remembered by relatives and friends as generous and devoted to the ocean, the land and his family.
Word of his death prompted an outpouring of grief from surfers, residents and former guests. Family members described him as a benevolent presence who would help nearly anyone in need, and friends praised his warmth and commitment to the community. Local leaders noted the shock of a violent incident in an area that has been considered relatively calm, and some expressed concern about potential effects on the region’s image as a tourist and surf destination while stressing that the event appeared to be an isolated crime.
Next steps and broader context
Investigators have indicated the inquiry remains active. Forensic work and the autopsy aim to clarify the cause and manner of death, and police have been canvassing the neighborhood for additional information. Authorities have not made any public arrests as the investigation proceeds.
Residents and business owners in the area are watching developments closely, balancing grief and alarm with reassurances from officials that public safety measures are being reinforced. The case has highlighted concerns about crime affecting small coastal communities that rely heavily on tourism and the local surf economy, even as officials emphasize that many visits and daily life in the region continue without incident.
As the investigation moves forward, law enforcement has urged anyone with information to come forward to help build a clearer picture of what happened that day.
