Authorities in Costa Rica are investigating the tragic death of Kurt Van Dyke, a 66-year-old American expat and local hotelier, who was killed during a robbery at his residence in Hone Creek on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
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- The Robbery: Two armed men broke into Van Dyke’s apartment, where they restrained a 31-year-old woman with zip ties and proceeded to ransack the home.
- The Victim: Van Dyke, the owner of Hotel Puerto Viejo and a native of Santa Cruz, California, was found deceased at the scene. Initial reports indicate he died of asphyxiation and stab wounds.
- Theft: The suspects fled the scene in two vehicles, including Van Dyke’s 2013 Hyundai Elantra, taking various valuables with them.
A Community in Mourning
Van Dyke was a staple of the local community and a member of a prominent California surfing family. While the woman present during the attack survived, the brutality of the crime has rattled the expat and surfing communities on the Caribbean coast.
Next Steps for Authorities
While the OIJ is treating this as a robbery-homicide, investigators are looking into all potential motives.
- Forensics: Agents have collected fingerprints and security footage from the property.
- No Suspects: As of February 17, no arrests have been made, and the stolen vehicle has yet to be recovered.
