URGENT UPDATE: Surf legend Kurt Van Dyke, aged 66, was tragically killed by armed intruders in his home in Cahuita, Costa Rica, on July 15, 2023. Known for his deep roots in the surfing community and as a beloved hostel owner, Van Dyke’s death has sent shockwaves through the region.
Authorities report that two armed assailants broke into Van Dyke’s residence, where he and his 31-year-old girlfriend, identified only as Arroyo, were attacked. The couple was bound and held in a room before the intruders violently assaulted Van Dyke, stealing valuables including one of their vehicles. Van Dyke’s body was discovered under a bed, showing signs of asphyxiation and multiple stab wounds, with a knife found nearby.
“My brother was a very benevolent, giving person who would help just about anybody,” expressed Peter Van Dyke, Kurt’s brother, in a heartfelt message. “Kurt would never hurt anybody, and he was always there when you needed him. Everyone that he met knew this about him.”
Van Dyke was the owner of Hotel Puerto Viejo, a popular hostel in the beach town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, just a short drive from Cahuita. This area, typically known for its safety and tranquility, has been shaken by this violent crime, which is unusual given the region’s history of primarily petty crimes like theft and break-ins.
Officials from the Southern Caribbean Chamber of Tourism and Commerce are alarmed by this attack. Roger Sams, president of the chamber, stated, “We have the Police delegation in Playa Negra, the cantonal, which is the most modern in the country. We are working hand in hand on security issues. It shocks us and hurts us, because the Caribbean has been very calm.”
Sams emphasized that there had been no recent reports of violence against tourists in the area, noting, “This is an isolated case; he is the owner of a hotel, not a tourist. It has nothing to do with tourists and the people who come to visit us.”
The rise in violence is concerning, particularly as organized crime and drug trafficking have historically been limited to the province’s capital, Puerto Limón. Recent developments, including the opening of a new port in 2019, have led to an increase in crime spilling into surrounding areas. Homicides in Puerto Limón account for a staggering 25% of all homicides in Costa Rica.
Kurt Van Dyke, who began surfing at the age of 7, hailed from a family deeply entrenched in the surfing culture of Santa Cruz. His parents, Gene and Betty Van Dyke, were pioneers in the surfing community and well-known farmers. Peter Van Dyke reminisced, “Kurt loved the ocean, our farm, animals and his family. It’s a very sad time because of all the great memories we have growing up together, farming and surfing.”
Friends have taken to social media to express their grief, with one writing, “We remember your spirit, your energy, and the light you brought into the lives around you. Some people leave footprints — you left waves.”
As authorities continue to investigate this shocking and tragic event, the community mourns the loss of a man known for his kindness and love for surfing. The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected as police work to apprehend the attackers responsible for this heinous act.
Stay tuned for more developments on this tragic story as it unfolds.
