Fugitive Kaitlin Armstrong Caught: How a Yoga Ad Led to Her Arrest!
This gripping tale first captivated audiences on January 27, 2024.
Kaitlin Armstrong now faces a staggering 90 years behind bars for the shocking murder of rising gravel cycling star Anna Moriah “Mo” Wilson. This tale captured not just national attention but international headlines, igniting a frantic manhunt after Armstrong vanished, slipping through the fingers of law enforcement—first in Texas, then across borders all the way to the sun-soaked beaches of Costa Rica.
In June 2022, just a month after her disappearance, Deputy U.S. Marshals Damien Fernandez and Emir Perez were dispatched to Costa Rica, following a tip that Armstrong was hiding in the picturesque town of Santa Teresa. But this small village, bustling with tourists, posed a significant challenge. Armstrong had gone to great lengths to obscure her identity, even undergoing plastic surgery to evade capture.
With each lead leading to dead ends, the U.S. Marshals switched strategies, hoping to leverage her passion for yoga.
“Let’s put out ads for a yoga instructor and see what happens,” Perez shared with “48 Hours.”
But days turned into a week, and frustration mounted without any response. Just as they were about to pack up and return home, a glimmer of hope emerged.
MEET MO WILSON, A CYCLIST ON THE RISE
In March 2022, 25-year-old Anna Moriah Wilson, affectionately known as “Mo,” lit up the screen on the “Pre Ride Show,” discussing her excitement for the upcoming race season.
MORIAH WILSON (“Pre Ride Show interview”): I’m so excited to be here. It feels like the first big race of the year, so yeah… I’m ready to kick it off.
Tragically, just two months later, her vibrant spirit was silenced, sending shockwaves through the cycling community.
Lisa Gosselin Lynn: No one could digest the news. Why would anyone want to hurt this talented, beautiful woman?
Lynn, editor of Vermont Sports Magazine, had closely followed Wilson’s journey.
Lisa Gosselin Lynn: Mo was dominating every race she entered. She had the potential to be among the best, not just in the country but globally.
Born into a family of elite athletes, including a father who was on the U.S. Ski Team and an Olympic Nordic ski racer for an aunt, it’s no surprise that Wilson was drawn to sports.
Lisa Gosselin Lynn: She had an incredible childhood playground in northern Vermont, filled with trails perfect for skiing and mountain biking.
She attended Burke Mountain Academy, a prestigious ski school, hoping to make it to the U.S. Ski Team until injuries sidelined her. Pivoting to cycling, Wilson excelled and even earned an engineering degree from Dartmouth.
On May 10, 2022, just a week shy of her 26th birthday, Wilson arrived in Austin, Texas, to prepare for the Gravel Locos bike race, staying with a close friend. But on the evening of May 11, tragedy struck. When her friend returned home, she found Wilson lifeless on the bathroom floor, a victim of multiple gunshot wounds.
CAITLIN CASH | 911 call: …she’s laying on the bathroom floor and there’s blood everywhere.
Despite desperate attempts at CPR, it was too late.
Det. Marc McLeod: Evidence suggested a struggle; she may have tried to escape.
Investigators began to piece together the puzzle. Among the clues found was Wilson’s pricey racing bike, discarded nearby, sparking questions about a potential burglary gone wrong. However, that theory quickly crumbled as there were no signs of forced entry.
Then, hours before her death, an important figure emerged—Colin Strickland, another professional racer. Strickland had recently been in a brief romantic relationship with Wilson, which had ended amicably.
Det. Marc McLeod: Who is Colin Strickland? Our focus turned to him.
While Strickland cooperated with police, sharing details from that fateful day—a swim at a local pool followed by a meal—investigators discovered a black SUV caught on a neighbor’s security camera shortly after Wilson was dropped off. The vehicle belonged to none other than Kaitlin Armstrong.
WHO IS KAITLIN ARMSTRONG?
Armstrong, a finance professional with a passion for yoga, was Strickland’s girlfriend. Their relationship seemed normal until it took a tumultuous turn when Strickland briefly dated Wilson.
After Wilson’s murder, Armstrong’s whereabouts became a mystery. Initially found by police for a minor warrant, she was let go due to mismatched birthdate information. But days later, a tip surfaced—Armstrong reportedly expressed a desire to harm Wilson.
ON THE HUNT FOR KAITLIN ARMSTRONG
The U.S. Marshals were thrust into a race against time. They quickly deduced Armstrong may have fled to her sister’s place in New York. However, it wasn’t long before they discovered she had boarded a flight to Costa Rica, possibly using her sister’s passport without permission.
Once in Costa Rica, Armstrong continued to elude capture. When the Marshals arrived, they faced a daunting task—she was reportedly blending in among the tourists, changing her appearance and using aliases.
As they canvassed the area, Deputy Marshal Emir Perez struck upon a last-ditch effort—advertising for a yoga instructor on local social media.
After several fruitless days, just as they were ready to leave, a lead came through. An individual came forward, identifying herself as a yoga instructor and willing to meet the Marshals. Rushing back to Santa Teresa, they enlisted local authorities to assist in the final push.
Undercover, they entered a hostel where the yoga instructor was believed to be staying. Perez, using his language skills, approached a woman who closely resembled Armstrong. Confirmation came swiftly; it was her.
Local authorities acted, arresting Kaitlin Armstrong. Inside her room, they discovered receipts for plastic surgery, confirming their suspicions of her drastic transformation.
THE CASE AGAINST KAITLIN ARMSTRONG
Back in Texas, Armstrong faced trial charged with Wilson’s murder. The prosecution painted a chilling picture of betrayal, revealing that Armstrong had been tracking Wilson using a fitness app and had plotted the murder meticulously.
Despite the defense’s claims of lack of direct evidence placing Armstrong at the crime scene, the jury deliberated for only two hours before reaching a conviction.
On November 1, 2023, Armstrong was declared guilty. The following day, she received a sentence of 90 years in prison.
During the emotional sentencing, Wilson’s family addressed Armstrong directly, expressing their heartbreak and anger. They emphasized the need for justice and the lasting impact of Wilson’s spirit, which they vowed to honor by creating a foundation promoting healthy living and community building.
THE LEGACY OF MO WILSON
In the serene trails of Vermont where she grew up, a trail named “Moriah’s Ascent” now serves as a tribute to her enduring spirit. As her family and friends remember Wilson, they highlight the kindness, passion, and dedication that defined her life, ensuring her legacy continues to inspire others.
