Girlfriend of Santa Cruz Surfing Legend Arrested in Costa Rica Murder Case

Costa Rican authorities have arrested two suspects in the February killing of Santa Cruz surfing legend Kurt Van Dyke, including his former girlfriend, who initially told investigators that armed intruders had attacked the couple.

Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Agency arrested Van Dyke's 31-year-old former girlfriend, identified by authorities only as Arroyo, and a 34-year-old man identified as Gutiérrez following raids on three homes in Roxana, Pococí, as the Los Angeles Times. Both were arrested on suspicion of murder. Investigators are reportedly still looking for two additional men in connection with the killing.

As SFist reported in February, Van Dyke, 66, was found dead in his home in Hone Creek, on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, on February 14. His body was discovered underneath a bed with a sheet covering his face. Costa Rican police said he had been strangled and stabbed multiple times.

The initial account of what happened came from Arroyo, who told investigators that two armed men had broken into the couple's apartment, restrained both of them with zip ties, and confined them to a room before attacking Van Dyke and fleeing with valuables. According to the Times, her car, which was initially reported stolen, was later recovered undamaged.

Van Dyke had lived in Costa Rica since moving there from the United States in the 1980s. He owned Hotel Puerto Viejo, a popular hostel in the beach town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, near his home in Cahuita.

Originally from Santa Cruz, Van Dyke was part of a prominent Northern California surfing family. His father, Gene Van Dyke, was among the pioneers of surfing in the region during the 1950s, while his mother, Betty, was one of the world's early female competitive surfing champions. She died in 2021 at age 88.

The family has also been prominent in the area's agricultural community, operating Van Dyke Ranch in the Gavilan Mountains near Gilroy for approximately 60 years.

“Kurt loved the ocean, our farm, animals and his family,” his brother, Peter Van Dyke, told Surfer earlier this year. “It’s a very sad time because of all the great memories we have growing up together, farming and surfing.”

Previously: Surf Legend from Prominent Santa Cruz Surfing and Farming Family Killed in Costa Rica Home