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Kaitlin Armstrong, the 34-year-old fugitive murder suspect from Texas, has been arrested in Costa Rica six weeks after Austin police received a warrant against Armstrong in connection to the murder of elite cyclist Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson.
Costa Rican officials assisted U.S. law enforcement in tracking Armstrong. She was finally arrested on Friday, June 29, from a hostel on Santa Teresa Beach in Provincia de Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Officials said that she had used a "fraudulent passport" to fly from New Jersey to Costa Rica. After a manhunt that lasted almost 43 days, Armstrong will now be deported to the U.S.
U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Texas Susan Pamerleau said:
"The Marshals Service elevated the Kaitlin Armstrong investigation to major case status early in this investigation, which likely played a key role in her capture after a 43-day run."
Pamerleau added:
"This is an example of combining the resources of local, state, federal and international authorities to apprehend a violent fugitive, bring an end to that run and hopefully a sense of closure to the victim’s family."
Kaitlin Armstrong has been charged with murder and unlawfully fleeing prosecution.
Moriah Wilson's murder case and Kaitlin Armstrong's escape explored
Kaitlin Armstrong was the prime suspect in the death of 25-year-old pro cyclist Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson. The latter was shot dead on May 11, 2022, at her friend’s East Austin home on Maple Avenue, near East 7th street.
Wilson had spent time with Colin Strickland, another pro cyclist, before her murder. Police confirmed that the two had dated for a few years. He had also been romantically involved with Wilson last year when Armstrong and he separated for a while.
Investigators believe that Wilson was killed because of the 'love triangle' since Wilson and Strickland had hung out on the day of the murder. Additionally, Armstrong’s car was seen driving around the area where Wilson was shot.
Speaking about his connection with the two women, Strickland said:
"She (Moriah) returned to her home in California and about a month later, Kaitlin Armstrong and I reconciled and resumed our relationship. Since then I often saw Mo at cycling events, and always in public settings."
He further added regarding his relationship with Mo Wilson:
"After our brief relationship in October 2021, we were not in a romantic relationship, only a platonic and professional one."
As the investigation continued, videos, evidence from the scene, and supporting statements from the interviewees led authorities to believe that Armstrong had murdered Wilson.
On May 17, Kaitlin Armstrong's name was put on an arrest warrant but she had already fled the state by then. She was last seen at Newark Liberty Airport on May 18, the day after Austin police issued the arrest warrant. Authorities found that she had sold her black Jeep Grand Cherokee to a car dealership in Austin, Texas, for $12,200 to reportedly use the money for her escape plan.
An anonymous caller told officials that Armstrong had obtained a handgun. The tipster even mentioned how furious the accused had been after finding out about Strickland and Wilson. One of two 9mm handguns was found at her residence, which she shared with Strickland, and it proved to be "significant to the investigation."
