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Girlfriend of surfing star said he died in a robbery. Now she is a suspect in his murder

Girlfriend of surfing star said he died in a robbery. Now she is a suspect in his murder

Kurt Van Dyke was found dead under his bed in February with authorities saying his body showed signs of strangulation and stab wounds

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The girlfriend of murdered surfing legend Kurt Van Dyke has been arrested in connection with his death, according to reports.

​Van Dyke was killed at the age of 66 at his home in Costa Rica in February 2026. At the time, his girlfriend was reported to have been restrained with zip-ties when two men entered the home.

​Now, Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency has confirmed to TV network Teletica that two people, including the 31-year-old girlfriend - identified only by her surname Arroyo - have been arrested in connection with Van Dyke’s death.

​A 34-year-old man with the surname Gutiérrez has also been arrested, following an operation that saw judicial agents raiding three homes.

​“We were able to establish the involvement of a 31-year-old woman with the last name Arroyo, who had a close relationship with the victim,” Vladimir Muñoz, the Acting Deputy Director General at the OIJ, confirmed to Diario Extra. “The woman had a direct relationship with the American citizen.”

The OIJ is searching for two other individuals in connection with the crime.

​At the time of the February killing, a statement released by the Judicial Investigation Agency said that the 66-year-old’s body - which had been found under a…

In brief

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. The girlfriend of murdered surfing legend Kurt Van Dyke has been arrested in connection with his death, according to reports. ​Van Dyke was killed at the age of 66 at his home in Costa Rica in February 2026.

This is the opening of the story, shared with credit to The Independent — World. The rest of the report — with every detail — continues on the publisher’s website.

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