The former girlfriend of a murdered surfing legend has been arrested almost nine months after his untimely death.
Kurt Van Dyke’s body was found underneath a bed with suspected knife wounds and signs of asphyxiation.
The 66-year-old American hotel owner’s death was initially investigated as an apparent home invasion in Hone Creek, near Cahuita, Costa Rica.
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But Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency – known as the OIJ – now suspects the attack was planned to obtain access codes for bank cards connected to his hotel, as reported by Need To Know.
Officers arrested a 31-year-old woman identified only by her surname, Arroyo, and a 34-year-old man named Gutiérrez on Thursday (12 Nov).
Van Dyke grew up in Santa Cruz, California, but moved to Costa Rica in 1983 and became a prominent figure at Salsa Brava, the powerful reef break off Puerto Viejo.
His ability in the water earned him the nickname ‘King’ among the area’s surfing community.
His father, Gene Van Dyke, was associated with the early Northern California surfing scene, while his mother, Betty, discovered the sport during the 1950s.
The University of California describes the Van Dykes as one of the region’s noted surfing families.
Local reports, citing the OIJ, identified Arroyo as the victim’s former partner.
Arroyo and Gutiérrez were detained during three raids carried out by investigators in Pocora and Astúa Pirié, near Guápiles.
Mobile phones, a vehicle and other items considered relevant to the investigation were seized.
According to the OIJ’s preliminary case, Arroyo allegedly used her close relationship with Van Dyke to facilitate the attackers’ entry to the property.
Gutiérrez is suspected of arriving with two other men who have not yet been identified.
Investigators allege violence was used in an attempt to force Van Dyke to disclose the codes linked to his bank cards.
OIJ deputy director Vladimir Muñoz said: “It was established that a woman surnamed Arroyo, aged 31, who had a close relationship with the victim, participated.
“The woman had a direct relationship with the American citizen.”
When the killing was first reported on 14 February, authorities were told armed men had entered the property, restrained Arroyo and stolen valuables.
Her Hyundai Elantra was also reported missing.
However, the car was subsequently recovered without damage in Costa Rica’s Atlantic region.
Investigators now suspect its disappearance was staged in an attempt to conceal Arroyo’s alleged involvement.
It is believed the vehicle seized during Thursday’s operation may have transported Gutiérrez and the two unidentified men to Van Dyke’s home.
Arroyo and Gutiérrez have been handed to Costa Rica’s Public Prosecutor’s Office, which will determine what legal measures to seek.
Neither had been convicted of the allegations at the time of writing, and the investigation remains active.
Authorities are continuing efforts to identify and locate the two other suspected participants.
Van Dyke also owned and operated Hotel Puerto Viejo for decades.
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