Brother of California surfer killed in Costa Rica speaks out

The brother of a US surfer slain in Costa Rica has warned the killing is “extra nefarious” than a random break-in.

Throughout an interview with the California Submit on Monday morning, Peter Van Dyke revealed extra particulars about his brother Kurt Van Dyke’s dying in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.

The physique of Kurt Van Dyke, 66, was discovered beneath his mattress on the property on Saturday, with a number of stab wounds and proof of asphyxiation, native studies say.

His girlfriend, a 31-year-old recognized solely as Arroyo, was zip-tied and overwhelmed earlier than armed intruders made off with valuables together with their automotive.

Peter stated he suspects there may be extra to the killing than first thought, including he had spoken to his youthful brother only a few days in the past and stated he was “in good spirits.”

However he stated information he had a girlfriend was new to him and warned there have been individuals within the space “who didn’t like him.”

He advised The Submit on Monday: “There are individuals who like him and there are individuals who don’t. It was extra nefarious.”

Kurt Van Dyke had a number of enterprise companions within the area after shifting to Costa Rica within the mid-Eighties, in keeping with Peter Van Dyke.

The 2 spoke weekly, and Peter revealed his brother had assured him lately “he had every thing beneath management.”

Kurt Van Dyke, who owned a resort in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, was discovered lifeless Saturday, with a sheet over his head and a knife subsequent to him, native studies say.

In response to studies, his girlfriend was within the bathe when two armed males all of a sudden stormed into the house, forcing the couple right into a room at gunpoint.

Arroyo stated the intruders zip-tied her arms and toes, assaulted her, and made off with a number of valuables — together with the couple’s 2013 Hyundai Elantra — earlier than fleeing.

Peter stated he discovered about his brother’s dying Saturday from Kurt’s son. “We haven’t related a lot together with his son and daughter or the neighborhood,” he stated.

The grieving brother stated he has been involved with the US Embassy in Costa Rica, which has communicated with the household relating to Kurt Van Dyke’s stays, as he has family throughout California.

“Regulation enforcement will not be letting something out,” Peter Van Dyke stated, including he believes authorities might not but have suspects. He added, “Costa Rica isn’t prefer it was 15 years in the past. There’s a whole lot of homicide, a whole lot of thievery.”

The city the place the killing occurred is generally thought of protected, and the incident despatched shockwaves by the neighborhood.

“I’m deeply saddened,” Roger Sams, president of Costa Rica’s Southern Caribbean Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, advised Costa Rican newspaper La Nación in Spanish, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.

“We’ve had an extended interval of calm and tranquility. … This shocks and saddens us as a result of the Caribbean has been so peaceable.”

Van Dyke was well-known in Costa Rica and in California.

He spent many years working a modest resort in Puerto Viejo and constructed a popularity as a standout surfer after arriving within the early Eighties to chase the thunderous Salsa Brava break — a run that earned him the nickname “King” alongside the Caribbean coast.

Browsing was in his blood. His father Gene Van Dyke was a Northern California pioneer of the game, whereas his mom Betty helped blaze a path for girls surfers within the Nineteen Fifties and ’60s.

Past the waves, the Van Dyke household identify is rooted in agriculture, working the longtime Van Dyke Ranch close to Gilroy, identified for its apricots and cherries bought at native farmers markets.

In response to native studies, as of Dec. 16, 2025, Costa Rica had already tallied 833 murders, averaging roughly 2.4 killings per day, highlighting ongoing safety challenges linked to gang exercise and drug route disputes.

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