Yoga instructor accused of killing cycling star in Texas is arrested in Costa Rica

Kaitlin Marie Armstrong has been arrested in Costa Rica, ending a 43-day manhunt that began after the fatal shooting of world class cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson in Austin, Texas.

The U.S. Marshals announced the arrest on Thursday, June 30, of Armstrong, who is suspected of killing Wilson at a home in Austin on May 11. Wilson, 25, was in Austin for a race and was found with multiple gunshot wounds.

Armstrong is accused of using a fake passport and flying from Newark International Airport to San Jose, Costa Rica, on May 18. She had already been questioned by Austin police, and her arrival in Central America came a day after a homicide warrant was issued for her arrest, according to the U.S. Marshals.

Last week, the U.S. Marshals announced they had located Armstrong’s black Jeep Grand Cherokee. They say she sold it to an Austin CarMax dealership on May 13 for $12,200.

“Armstrong was provided a check from the dealership a day after being questioned by Austin authorities,” according to the U.S. Marshals. “She departed the Austin airport on May 14.”

The U.S. Marshals said they arrested Armstrong at a hostel on Santa Teresa Beach in Provincia de Puntarenas. She will be expedited back to the United States.

“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,” U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Texas Susan Pamerleau said. “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.”

Who was Anna Moriah ‘Mo’ Wilson?

Wilson was from Vermont and most recently lived in San Francisco. She was considered a “rising star in gravel racing” and had won nearly 10 races in 2022, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

She was in Austin for the 150-mile Gravel Locos race, which the Associated Press reported she was favored to win.

A graduate of Dartmouth University, Wilson was the daughter of Eric and Karen Wilson, who were members of the U.S. ski team.

“While the tragic loss of Moriah is unfathomable, at the same time we want everyone to join us in celebrating her life, accomplishments, and love for others,” her family said in a statement. “Always pushing tirelessly to reach her goals, we knew she was pursuing that which she loved. We will miss her terribly and know that all mourn her with us.”

At the time of her death, fellow cyclist Rebecca Rusch said Wilson was a “beautiful, grounded young woman who was so full of light and energy.”

“She was exceptional in every way,” Rusch said.

Who is Kaitlin Marie Armstrong?

Armstrong, a 34-year-old from Austin, was recently a yoga instructor and real estate agent, according to SFGate.com.

She was formerly in an on-again, off-again relationship with professional cyclist Colin Strickland, who the Austin American-Statesman reported was also involved in a relationship with Wilson.

“(Wilson) returned to her home in California and about a month later, Kaitlin Armstrong and I reconciled and resumed our relationship,” Strickland said in a statement to KTBC. “Since then I often saw Mo at cycling events, and always in public settings. After our brief relationship in October 2021, we were not in a romantic relationship, only a platonic and professional one.”

Armstrong was identified as the suspect in Wilson’s death and, in early June, the U.S. Marshals offered a $5,000 reward for her capture.

“Kaitlin Armstrong is accused of a very serious crime that she needs to answer for,” Pamerleau said at the time.

What happened before Wilson’s death?

Austin police said it was dispatched to a home around 10 p.m. on May 11 when Wilson’s friend found her bleeding and unconscious. Wilson was staying with the friend ahead of her upcoming race, according to an affidavit obtained by the Austin American-Statesman.

Wilson, who was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, was pronounced dead 14 minutes after the 911 call, according to Austin police.

Police detailed in the affidavit reasons it believes Armstrong was responsible for Wilson’s death.

Earlier in the night on May 11, Wilson told her friend she was going swimming with Strickland, who lives in the Austin area, police said in the affidavit.

Strickland picked up Wilson on his motorcycle and they went to the Deep Eddy Pool in Austin. Police said he lied to Armstrong to hide he was with Wilson during the night, according to the affidavit.

Wilson arrived back at the home at 8:36 p.m., and a minute later, Armstrong’s Jeep Grand Cherokee was shown in surveillance footage driving past the home, police said in the affidavit. It stopped “directly next to” Wilson’s friend’s home.

Armstrong arrived at her home shortly after a 9:21 p.m. text message Strickland had sent her, Strickland said while being questioned.

An anonymous caller contacted police on May 14, telling officers she was with Armstrong in January when she discovered Strickland was having a relationship with Wilson.

“The caller advised Armstrong became furious and was shaking with anger,” police said in the affidavit. “Armstrong told the caller Armstrong was so angry Armstrong wanted to kill Wilson. Armstrong then proceeded to tell the caller Armstrong had either recently purchased a firearm or was going to.”

Police found two guns while executing a search warrant at Strickland and Armstrong’s home, according to the affidavit. Comparisons from a fired test cartridge case from one of the guns and the shell cases located next to Wilson’s body reveal a “significant” probability they came from the same weapon, police said.

Armstrong was interviewed by police but was let go when it was learned her warrant was not valid. When interviewed, Armstrong stayed “quiet and completely still,” according to police.

“She had no explanation as to why (her Jeep) was in the area and did not make any denials surrounding the statements presented to her,” police said.