A fugitive murder suspect was moved to a different Texas jail on Tuesday, days after she was captured in Costa Rica while on the run for fatally shooting her boyfriend’s love interest.
According to the Texas Chronicle, Armstrong, 34, claimed when she was arrested last week that bandages and bruises on her face were due to a surfing accident. However, she is believed to have undergone cosmetic surgery to conceal her identity and remain on the run.
Armstrong — who Velo News reported has been formally charged with first-degree murder — was recently moved from Harris County jail to Travis County jail, according to KXAN.
On May 11, Armstrong allegedly shot and killed professional cyclist Moriah “Mo” Wilson, 24, who was staying at a friend’s apartment in Austin at the time. Armstrong is believed to have killed Wilson upon learning she slept with her boyfriend, Colin Strickland, who lied to Armstrong when he went swimming and out to dinner with Wilson on the day she was killed. He also disguised her name in his phone to keep Armstrong from knowing he was communicating with her.
Armstrong was believed to have flown out of Austin on May 14 and boarded a connecting flight to New York LaGuardia Airport.
According to reports, someone drove Armstrong to an airport in Newark, New Jersey, on May 18 — a day after a warrant was issued for her arrest. However, investigators found no outbound flight reservations listed under her name at the time.
Authorities believe Armstrong used a fraudulent passport to flee the country and cut and dyed her hair to evade detection.
“That physical appearance changed slightly,” Deputy U.S. Marshal Brandon Filla commented, according to KXAN. “Would it have changed more as she started to create that, you know, type of foundation for herself there in Costa Rica? Possibly.”
Armstrong remains jailed on a $3.5 million bond. A hearing is scheduled for July 20.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Listen to the latest episode:
[Featured image: Kaitlin Armstrong/U.S. Marshals, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, and the Austin Police Department]
