Current:Home > FinancePlastic surgery helped murder suspect Kaitlin Armstrong stay on the run-InfoLens
Plastic surgery helped murder suspect Kaitlin Armstrong stay on the run
View Date:2024-12-23 12:15:25
Before Kaitlin Armstrong was found guilty of killing professional gravel cyclist Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson, she was on the run in Costa Rica from the murder charge.
A few days after Wilson was murdered on May 11, 2022, a warrant was issued for Armstrong. She had become a suspect because her Jeep was seen on security cameras shortly before Wilson was murdered. She had also been described as being angry over a past relationship her boyfriend Colin Strickland had with Wilson. But when investigators went to look for her, she was nowhere to be found. The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force got the job of tracking her down. They suspected Armstrong had flown to Costa Rica on May 18, 2022. There, she tried to hide her identity by using other names — Beth and Ari — and she cut and dyed her hair.
Two Deputy U.S. Marshals, part of the task force, headed to Costa Rica to find her. "48 Hours" contributor Jonathan Vigliotti has the first interview with members of the task force in "Capturing Moriah Wilson's Killer," airing Saturday, Jan. 27 at 10/9c on CBS and streaming on Paramount +.
Deputy Marshals Emir Perez and Damien Fernandez landed in San José, Costa Rica, on June 20, 2022. They quickly moved to the beach town of Jacó, looking for Armstrong, but they did not find her. From there, a tip led them to Santa Teresa, another beach town popular among surfers and yoga enthusiasts.
The Marshals made it to Santa Teresa at night on June 22, 2022, and they quickly found that Armstrong was likely blending in. "I think from the get-go we were told … you're gonna be in for a surprise 'cause a lot of the women in Santa Teresa look just like Kaitlin -- a lot of them," said Fernandez.
Perez and Fernandez knew that Armstrong was into yoga, so they sent a female operative to a few classes to see if they could spot her. "She actually did, three different classes for us," said Perez. And they tapped into local contacts who reported various possible sightings of Armstrong. But nothing panned out.
The Marshals later discovered why they initially failed to find her in Santa Teresa. Those first few days they were searching for Armstrong, she was not there. Armstrong had gone to San José where she got plastic surgery. The Marshals and Armstrong had just missed each other.
"I mean, talk about odds. …the whole time that we're in Santa Teresa, she's not there," said Perez.
The Deputy Marshals did not give up and came up with another plan to track her down that finally worked. Armstrong was caught and arrested on June 29. A receipt for cosmetic surgery was discovered at the hostel where she was found. Perez said she had a bandage on her nose when he found her, but it was her eyes that gave her away.
- In:
- 48 Hours
- Murder
veryGood! (2956)
Related
- How Leonardo DiCaprio Celebrated His 50th Birthday
- Nicole Scherzinger Apologizes for Hurt Caused by Controversial Instagram Comment
- New LA police chief sworn in as one of the highest-paid chiefs in the US
- Wyoming volleyball coach worried about political pressure to forfeit vs. San Jose State
- Texas now tops in SEC? Miami in trouble? Five overreactions to college football Week 11
- California Gov. Newsom fined over delays in reporting charitable donations
- 13 Holiday Gifts for Men That Will Make Them Say 'Wow'
- Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez wins reelection in Washington’s closely watched 3rd District
- About Charles Hanover
- A push for school choice fell short in Trump’s first term. He may now have a more willing Congress
Ranking
- Wildfires burn on both coasts. Is climate change to blame?
- With Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase leading way, Bengals running out of time to save season
- Normani Details Her Wickedly Incredible Friendship With Ariana Grande
- Cowboys' Micah Parsons poised to make his return vs. Eagles in Week 10
- Jennifer Lopez Turns Wicked Premiere Into Family Outing With 16-Year-Old Emme
- Gender identity question, ethnicity option among new additions being added to US Census
- Man charged with participating in march with flaming torch has pleaded guilty to lesser charge
- LGBTQ+ hotlines experience influx in crisis calls amid 2024 presidential election
Recommendation
-
Man found dead in tanning bed at Indianapolis Planet Fitness; family wants stricter policies
-
Beware of flood-damaged vehicles being sold across US. How to protect yourself.
-
Wicked's Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth Have Magical Red Carpet Moment
-
Trump's presidential election win and what it says about the future of cancel culture
-
Kate Hudson and Goldie Hawn’s SKIMS Holiday Pajamas Are Selling Out Fast—Here’s What’s Still Available
-
Will Nico Collins play Week 10? Latest updates as Texans WR returns to practice
-
LGBTQ+ hotlines experience influx in crisis calls amid 2024 presidential election
-
Bill Self matches Phog Allen for most wins at Kansas as No. 1 Jayhawks take down No. 10 UNC