It was a trip Steven Edelson and his longtime girlfriend had made several times. But last week, the Novato man's Costa Rica vacation destination turned out to be the site of his murder.
Edelson, retired psychiatric counselor, was found dead under an almond tree on the beach in the coastal Caribbean town of Viejo de Talamanca late Thursday morning. He had been shot at close range in the back of the head during an apparent robbery, police said.
The 65-year-old and his girlfriend, Marsha Wachs, traveled to the island paradise with Wachs' sister and niece, our friends at the Marin IJ tell us. Edelson walked down to a beach with a book, his guitar and a backpack with a few essentials in it after they had breakfast together that morning.
Wachs, 62, and the other two women had planned to join Edelson at the beach but opted to stay at a beach that was closer to the hotel because of the heat. When his sister went back to the hotel room to get her camera, staff members told her police had found Edelson's body.
Authorities presume there was a solo shooter but there have been no arrests and no suspects yet. The killer got away with Edelson's backpack but left his guitar, watch and ring behind.
Edelson's friends and neighbors in Novato are shocked. They say he was a shy guy who enjoyed playing his guitar for friends. Edelson is survived by a son, Noah.
Friends and loved ones are planning a memorial for Edelson in early October.
