US Surfer Found Murdered in Costa Rica

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Kurt Van Dyke, a 66-year-old American surfer from Santa Cruz, California, was found strangled and stabbed multiple times inside his apartment in Cahuita Limon, Costa Rica. Police responded to a call about an armed break-in and discovered Van Dyke's body under a bed with a sheet over his face. A woman who was also in the apartment survived the attack. Two suspects are believed to have broken in, stolen Van Dyke's car, and fled the scene. No arrests have been made, and police are investigating security camera footage as part of their investigation.

Why it matters

Van Dyke was a longtime resident of Costa Rica and a pioneer of surfing in Northern California, well known in the local surfing community. His murder in a small coastal town raises concerns about safety and security for American expats and tourists in the region.

The details

According to the Costa Rican National Police, they responded to a call about an armed break-in around 10:50 a.m. Saturday at an apartment in Cahuita Limon, a coastal province about 100 miles east of the capital of San Jose. When they arrived, they found Van Dyke's body under a bed with a sheet over his face. He had been strangled and stabbed multiple times. A woman who was also in the apartment survived the attack with non-life-threatening injuries. Police believe two suspects broke into the apartment, killed Van Dyke, and stole his Hyundai Elantra before fleeing the scene. No arrests have been made, and authorities are reviewing CCTV footage as part of their investigation.

• The incident occurred around 10:50 a.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2026.

What’s next

The Costa Rican National Police are continuing their investigation, reviewing CCTV footage and searching for the two suspects who are believed to have broken into Van Dyke's apartment, killed him, and stolen his car.