The Texas yoga trainer accused of fatally shooting a professional cyclist in a jealous rage “was making an attempt to ascertain herself” earlier than she was captured in Costa Rica, officers mentioned Wednesday whereas describing a number of measures the fugitive undertook to change her look and mix into the neighborhood.
Kaitlin Armstrong, 34, was nabbed by US Marshals at a hostel on Santa Teresa Seashore in Provincia de Puntarenas after 43 days on the lam for the alleged homicide of Anna Moriah Wilson, a 25-year-old bike owner who at one level had a romantic relationship with Armstrong’s boyfriend.
Armstrong had reportedly modified her look, was frequenting yoga courses to additional her educating career and was staying at a hostel to stretch out her financial savings and meet new individuals who additionally spoke English, Deputy U.S. Marshal Brandon Filla told KXAN.
The alleged killer used a phony passport to fly into Costa Rica from Newark Airport on Could 18 — a day after Austin cops issued a warrant for her arrest — and settled into the beachside hostel.
Armstrong arrived within the new nation with lengthy crimson hair, however reduce it to shoulder-length and dyed it darkish brown. She additionally had bandage on her nostril and “bruising below eyes” from a reported surfboard incident, Filla mentioned.
“That bodily look modified barely,” he mentioned. “Would it not have modified extra as she began to create that, , sort of basis for herself there in Costa Rica? Presumably may have.”
Armstrong had frequented a number of yoga courses, which Filla speculated had been “to higher her career to show a particular sort of yoga” which concerned browsing.
“We consider she was staying on the hostel to actually make her cash stretch additional down the highway,” he added.
She additionally might have chosen to remain in a hostel for the reason that dormitory-style housing is frequented by solo vacationers seeking to make connections with one another — being that she needed to reduce ties from household and pals, Filla mentioned.
“With these kinds of sources constrained, she was making an attempt to ascertain herself,” the US Marshal mentioned. “Being in that hostel — that’s actually for those who journey independently. You recognize they attempt to construct some sort of relationship with people of their dormitory housing.”
Regardless of her greatest efforts to disguise herself and begin a distinct life, Armstrong couldn’t escape her alleged crimes.
US Marshals along with Homeland Safety Investigations, Division of State Diplomatic Safety Service and native authorities tracked down the alleged killer and arrested her.
She is about to be deported to the US to face prices for the Could 11 homicide of Wilson.
“Now she’ll face justice with the hopes of bringing some sort of closure to the Wilson household who’s been victimized by this incident,” Filla mentioned.
Armstrong’s live-in boyfriend Colin Strickland, 34, had a fling with Wilson and had snuck out on the day of the capturing to satisfy her whereas she was visiting Austin from San Francisco for an upcoming race in Waco, officers mentioned.
Wilson was discovered shot to dying at a good friend’s house, the place Strickland had dropped her off. A Jeep showing to be Armstrong’s was seen on surveillance footage outdoors.
Police questioned Armstrong however launched her with out prices earlier than she went on the lam, officers mentioned.
