U.s. Surfer Kurt Van Dyke Found Dead In Costa Rica In Apparent Robbery - Beritaja
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American surfer Kurt Van Dyke was recovered dormant aft an evident location penetration successful Costa Rica, according to authorities.
Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) received a study Saturday greeting about the decease of Van Dyke, a 66-year-old California native, according to Costa Rican outlet CR Hoy.
The preliminary study specifications that Van Dyke’s assemblage showed signs of strangulation and aggregate stab wounds. An autopsy will beryllium conducted, according to The Associated Press.
Citing rule enforcement, the outlet reported that 2 men, equipped pinch astatine slightest 1 gun, threatened Van Dyke and a woman, stole objects from the location and a vehicle. The female escaped without superior injuries.
CR Hoy reported the preliminary findings indicated that a deceased antheral was recovered nether a bed, pinch a expanse complete his caput and a weapon adjacent to him.
A woman, who told the outlet she was Van Dyke’s romanticist partner, said that she was showering erstwhile the suspects entered the home.
According to the woman, they tied her hands and feet pinch gauze and assaulted her and Van Dyke earlier taking disconnected pinch their vehicle.
The outlet reported that information camera footage shows the suspects fleeing successful 2 vehicles. No arrests person been made and the investigation remains ongoing.
Van Dyke, a section edifice proprietor successful Puerto Viejo connected Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, was portion of a well-known California surfing family. A 2021 obituary of his mother, Betty Van Dyke, described her arsenic a portion of a pioneering group of early female surfers. Her first husband, Gene Van Dyke, was besides a well-known Northern California surfer.
Peter Van Dyke, Van Dyke’s brother, told the San Francisco Chronicle that his relative was “a very benevolent, giving personification who would thief conscionable about anybody.”
“Kurt would ne'er wounded anybody, and he was ever location erstwhile you needed him. Everyone that he met knew this about him,” he added.
Raw Surf, a level dedicated to surf culture, shared a tribute to Van Dyke on Instagram, writing, “Kurt, primitively from Santa Cruz, came from a existent surf lineage and built his life about waves, community, and hospitality. Friends and family picture him arsenic generous, kind, and personification who would thief anyone who needed it. A pillar successful the section surf community.”
“His woman survived the attack. Authorities are investigating and person indicated this appears to beryllium an isolated robbery incident. Stories for illustration this shingle the surf world. We recreation for waves, for connection, for peace. And erstwhile 1 of our ain is taken senselessly, it hits location — nary matter wherever you live,” it added.
“Our thoughts are pinch Kurt’s family, friends, and the Costa Rica surf organization during this incredibly difficult time.”
— With files from The Associated Press
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