California Man Killed in Costa Rica Home Invasion

Costa Rican authorities are investigating the killing of Kurt Van Dyke, a 66-year-old California native and longtime resident, who died during a home invasion at his residence in the Cahuita sector of Talamanca, Limón province, on Saturday morning.

The Judicial Investigation Organization, known as the OIJ, reported that two armed men entered the home around 10:50 a.m. Van Dyke and his 31-year-old girlfriend, identified only by the last name Arroyo, were forced into a room at gunpoint and held there for several minutes while the intruders stole valuables, including the couple's 2013 Hyundai Elantra. Authorities believe the suspects then killed Van Dyke before fleeing. The girlfriend, who was showering when the men arrived, was restrained with zip ties, beaten, and confined but sustained no serious injuries. She provided details to investigators about the assault.

Van Dyke's body was found under a bed, covered with a sheet and a knife placed beside his head. Officials stated the preliminary cause of death was asphyxiation, with multiple stab wounds also evident. The remains were sent to the Judicial Morgue for a full forensic examination to confirm the exact manner of death....