American Expatriate Costa Rica

Bad business cited as cause for murder of American citizen

Forensic investigator removes the corpse of Kurt Hergis, age 64. He had a deep wound in the neck and part of his head.


A bad business deal is believed to be the motive for the murder in Costa Rica of U.S. citizen, Kurt Hergis. His body was found along a gravel road, 4 miles from La Fortuna on Sunday. According to a female companion who survived the attack, Hergis was ambushed when he stopped his vehicle to assist a motorist who appeared to be in trouble on the highway. After stopping, several men dragged Hergis to a nearby river where they beat and stabbed him to death.

Judicial investigators have very little information, apart from data provided by immigration authorities. Hergis had been living in Costa Rica with a tourist visa, and leaving the country every 3 months since at least 2007. He entered and exited the country through Juan Santamaria Airport and land border checkpoints in Peñas Blancas and Los Chiles.

Hergis had bought a 3 acre property in Los Angeles La Fortuna. Locals say he was quiet about his private life.

Source La Extra