The murder of 66-year-old surfer Kurt Van Dyke in Costa Rica has shocked the locals and the international surfing community.
Van Dyke was an American surfer and businessman originally from Santa Cruz, California. He grew up in a family closely tied to surf culture.
His father and late mother were both known in California surfing circles, and Kurt himself became a respected figure in the sport.
The Northern Californian was a surfer like many, who chose the warmth of the pura vida lifestyle to chase his dreams.
In the early 1980s, Van Dyke moved to the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica because he loved surfing big, challenging waves like the famed Salsa Brava break.
Over the decades, he became known both for his skills and for running a modest, budget-friendly hotel in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca that was popular with visiting surfers and travelers.
Locals and friends remember him as a generous and friendly figure who helped young surfers and welcomed people from around the world.
The crime: what happened
On February 14, 2026, Costa Rican police were called to a home in Hone Creek, near Cahuita in Limón province, after a report of a body found inside.
Investigators discovered Kurt Van Dyke dead in a bedroom with multiple stab wounds and signs of asphyxiation. A knife was found beside his body, and a sheet was covering his head.
At the same time, a 31-year-old woman who had been with him at the house survived the attack. She suffered minor injuries and had been tied up by the assailants when they entered.
Police believe two armed men forced their way into the home that morning, threatened the couple, and stole valuables and the pair's car before fleeing.
Authorities are treating the case as a suspected homicide tied to a violent home invasion. Autopsy work was underway to confirm the exact cause of death, and law enforcement continues to investigate.
Where and how it happened
The incident took place in a residential area in Limón province, close to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca - a coastal region known for its vibrant surf culture and tourism.
According to Costa Rican Judicial Investigation Organization officials, security camera footage, witness accounts, and forensic evidence are being used to track down the suspects.
As of February 20, 2026, no arrests have been announced.
Was it just a robbery? Other possible motives
Costa Rican authorities have said the attack appears to be a robbery gone wrong, with intruders stealing items and a vehicle from the home.
However, Van Dyke's wife Pamela Leiva disputes that single explanation.
She told local media she believes her husband was lured into a trap under the guise of closing a real estate deal and that the assailants intended to kill him.
Leiva said he had been targeted in the past with scams or harassment, and she sees the murder as premeditated rather than random.
Local news reports have also quoted the family saying Kurt never had known enemies and that his generosity made it unlikely the crime was random.
They mentioned broader concerns about rising violence in Costa Rica's Caribbean region.
The search for the killer
Costa Rican authorities have not named or arrested any suspects yet.
They are pursuing evidence from the scene, including forensic work, vehicle tracking, and local witness interviews. The investigation remains active under the Judicial Investigation Organization.
Police and prosecutors have not officially linked the crime to any known criminal groups, personal disputes, or specific motives beyond the robbery theory, but different possibilities are being examined.
The killing has attracted international media attention, partly because Van Dyke was well-known in the surfing community and had lived in Costa Rica for decades.
Friends and family have publicly mourned him as a kind and influential figure.
Some community members have expressed concern about safety in the area, while others urge calm and patience as the investigation continues.
Officials from the United States government have been informed because Van Dyke was an American citizen, and the U.S. Embassy is assisting with consular matters.
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