In the weeks following the fatal shooting of elite cyclist Moriah “Mo” Wilson in Texas, Kaitlin Armstrong led authorities on a manhunt that spanned thousands of miles and international borders. Armstrong was eventually caught and found guilty of shooting Wilson in a jealousy-fueled rage, resulting in a 90-year prison sentence. Investigators tracked Armstrong from Austin to a Costa Rican beach town, where a mix of deception and yoga led to her apprehension.
After Wilson’s death, investigators questioned Colin Strickland, a pro cyclist who had a brief relationship with Wilson. Strickland revealed that Wilson was listed under a different name in his phone to avoid issues with Armstrong, his girlfriend. Security video showed a black SUV near Wilson’s apartment, later revealed to belong to Armstrong. Despite initial suspicion, Strickland was not involved in the murder. Armstrong was briefly arrested but released due to a mistake with her warrant, but she remained under investigation.
Tipsters provided information suggesting Armstrong’s jealousy over Strickland’s relationship with Wilson as a motive for the murder. A ballistics analysis showed a match between the gun used and a pistol found in Armstrong and Strickland’s home, leading to an arrest warrant for Armstrong. By the time the warrant was issued, Armstrong had erased her social media and disappeared. Investigators discovered Armstrong had fled to New York and subsequently traveled to Costa Rica, sparking a manhunt spanning both countries.
In Costa Rica, U.S. Marshals deputies tracked Armstrong by connecting her passion for yoga with hostels she had booked using aliases. Despite several near misses, they eventually located her in a small town called Santa Teresa. Using a fake ad posing as a hostel looking for a yoga instructor, they arranged a meeting with someone they believed to be Armstrong. The plan paid off, and Armstrong was apprehended after a brief exchange in which she identified herself as Ari Martin.
The capture of Armstrong in Costa Rica marked the end of a lengthy and high-stakes manhunt that had kept authorities on high alert. The investigation into Wilson’s murder and Armstrong’s subsequent escape highlighted the lengths law enforcement will go to bring fugitives to justice. Despite challenges that included illness, inclement weather, and language barriers, investigators were able to locate and apprehend Armstrong, ensuring that she faced consequences for her actions.
Overall, the account of Kaitlin Armstrong’s escape and capture serves as a testament to the dedication and perseverance of law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly to bring her to justice. From Texas to Costa Rica, authorities followed leads, used creative tactics, and collaborated across borders to track down a dangerous fugitive. Armstrong’s arrest not only provided closure for the family and friends of Moriah Wilson but also underscored the importance of international cooperation in combating crime and ensuring accountability for those who commit heinous acts.
