Kaitlin Armstrong Captured in Costa Rica

Austin, TX – The Austin woman accused of killing world class cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson May 11 has been captured in Costa Rica.

The U.S. Marshals Office of International Operations, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Department of State Diplomatic Security Service, working with authorities in Costa Rica, located and arrested Kaitlin Marie Armstrong June 29 at a hostel on Santa Teresa Beach in Provincia de Puntarenas.

Armstrong, 34, will be deported and returned to the U.S.

Members of the U.S. Marshals-led Lone Star Fugitive Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations recently discovered that Armstrong, using a fraudulent passport, had boarded United Airlines Flight 1222 from Newark International Airport at 5:09 p.m. EST on May 18 and arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica, at 8:27 p.m. EST.

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

The U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force located Armstrong’s black Jeep Grand Cherokee last week and learned that Armstrong sold the vehicle May 13 to a CarMax dealership in south Austin for $12,200 dollars. Armstrong was provided a check from the dealership a day after being questioned by Austin authorities. She departed the Austin airport on May 14.

Investigators learned that Armstrong was dropped off at the Newark Liberty International Airport on May 18, a day after Austin police issued a homicide warrant for her arrest.

She is suspected of the May 11 murder of Anna Moriah Wilson.

Police responding to a call at an east Austin residence May 11 discovered Wilson bleeding and unconscious from multiple gunshot wounds. They performed CPR on her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. Wilson, 25, a Vermont native and world class cyclist, had been in Austin for a race.

The Austin Police Department requested assistance from the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force – Austin Division to locate and apprehend Armstrong. On May 17 Austin police issued a homicide warrant for Armstrong.

During the investigation it was learned through an interviewed source that Armstrong was provided transportation to the Newark Liberty International Airport on May 18. Investigators searched outbound flights at the Newark Airport and found no flight reservations under her name.

On May 25 investigators obtained an arrest warrant in the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Texas for an Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution.

Investigators believe Armstrong was at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport on May 14 at approximately 12:30 p.m., and that she boarded Southwest Airlines Flight WN2262 from ABIA to Houston Hobby Airport, where she boarded a connecting SW Flight WN30 to New York LaGuardia Airport.

Media wishing to arrange an interview on this case are to contact Deputy U.S. Marshal Brandon Filla at Brandon.Filla@usdoj.gov.

Members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Austin:

• Austin Police Department-Tactical Intelligence Unit
• Georgetown and Round Rock Police Department’s
• Travis, Caldwell, Hays, Williamson, and Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office’s
• Texas Attorney General’s Office
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice OIG
• Texas Department of Public Safety
• U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement
• U.S. DHS/Homeland Security Investigations