Woman Who Murdered 'World-Class' Cyclist Fled U.S. From Newark Airport: Feds

NEWARK, NJ — A Texas woman accused of murdering a professional cyclist now has a federal charge in New Jersey. Kaitlin Armstrong presented a passport and ticket with someone else's name before she flew from Newark Liberty International Airport to Costa Rica in May, according to authorities.

Armstrong fatally shot Anna Moriah Wilson in Austin, Texas, on May 11, when Wilson had been in town for a race, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. Authorities performed CPR on Wilson, but the "world-class" cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, federal officials said.

Austin police interviewed Armstrong about Wilson's death the day after. Armstrong then flew to New York La Guardia Airport on May 14, according to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

On May 17, the city of Austin obtained an arrest warrant for Armstrong, charging her with murder. Armstrong boarded a flight a day later from Newark to Juan Santamaría Airport in Costa Rica after showing a ticket and U.S. passport of someone "closely associated with her," said Deputy U.S. Marshal Brandon Filla.

The suspect uses several different aliases as she moved around Costa Rica and tried to establish herself as a yoga teacher, authorities said. But she was arrested June 29 and deported back to Texas. Armstrong is in custody and is being held on a $3.5 million bond.

"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 Susan Pamerleau, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Texas. "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."

Wilson, a competitive gravel and mountain bike racer, was in Austin for a cycling event. She had previously dated Armstrong’s boyfriend — cyclist Colin Strickland — according to an affidavit. Stickland has cooperated with investigators and is not a suspect, according to investigators.

In New Jersey, Armstrong was charged Thursday with one count of misuse of a passport. She'll make her initial court appearance on a date to be determined. If convicted, misusing a passport carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.