Relatives of Kiwi yachtie Alan Culverwell are en route to Panama, where he's believed to have been killed by pirates

The former paua diver died during an attack on May the second on his 65-foot launch in the Guna Yala region.

His wife was attacked with a machete while their two children hid in the engine room.

Local media say the assailants were wearing hoods, and stole a boat engine.

In a statement, Culverwell's family say they're devastated.