The Texas yoga teacher accused of shooting a pro cyclist in a jealous rage was “trying to assert herself” before she was captured in Costa Rica, officials said Wednesday as they described several measures the fugitive took to to change his appearance and blend in with the community.
Caitlin Armstrong, 34, was arrested by US marshals at a hostel on Santa Teresa Beach in the province of Puntarenas after 43 days in custody for the alleged murder of Anna Moriah Wilson, a 25-year-old cyclist who at one point had a romantic relationship with the boyfriend of Armstrong.
Armstrong allegedly changed her appearance, took frequent yoga classes to improve her teaching profession and stayed at a hostel to spread her savings and meet new people who also spoke English, a deputy said -U.S. Marshal Brandon Fila to KXAN.
Caitlin Armstrong was on the run for Wilson’s alleged murder. US Marshals/Mega Wilson, a professional cyclist, travels to Texas for a race in Waco. Instagram / Moriah Wilson
The alleged killer used a fake passport to fly to Costa Rica from Newark Airport on May 18 — the day after Austin cops issued a warrant for her arrest — and checked into the beachside hostel.
Armstrong arrived in the new country with long red hair, but cut it to shoulder length and dyed it dark brown. She also had a bandage on her nose and “bruises under her eyes” from a reported surfing incident, Fila said.
“The physical appearance has changed slightly,” he said. “Would it have changed more when she started setting up this type of foundation for herself over there in Costa Rica?” He probably could have.
Armstrong is said to have been trying to restart her life in Costa Rica. fuerzapublicaCR/Twitter
Armstrong has attended numerous yoga classes, which Fila speculates are “to further his profession of teaching a specific type of yoga” that involves surfing.
“We believe she stayed at the hostel to make her money go further,” he added.
She also may have chosen to stay in a hostel because the dorm-style accommodations are frequented by solo travelers looking to bond with each other — as she had to cut ties with family and friends, Fila said.
Colin Strickland reportedly had an affair with Wilson behind Armstrong’s back. Flo Bikes
“With these kinds of limited resources, she was trying to establish herself,” the U.S. marshal said. “Being at this hostel is really for solo travelers. You know they’re trying to build some type of relationship with the people in their dorm.
Despite his best efforts to cover up and start a different life, Armstrong was unable to escape his alleged crimes.
US Marshals along with the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service and local authorities tracked down the alleged killer and arrested her.
She is to be deported to the U.S. to face charges in Wilson’s May 11 murder.
“She will now face justice in hopes of bringing some type of closure to the Wilson family who were victims of this incident,” Fila said.
Armstrong’s boyfriend, Colin Strickland, 34, was in a relationship with Wilson and slipped out the day of the shooting to meet her while she was visiting Austin from San Francisco for an upcoming race in Waco, officials said .
Wilson was found shot to death at a friend’s home where Strickland had dropped her off. A Jeep that appeared to belong to Armstrong was seen on video from surveillance cameras outside.
Police questioned Armstrong but released her without charge before she fled, officials said.
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