Federal Authorities Use Phony Yoga Instructor Ad to Capture Murder Suspect in Costa Rica

Federal authorities successfully apprehended Kaitlin Armstrong, a Texas woman convicted of the murder of Mo Wilson, an elite bicyclist and perceived romantic rival, after planting a fake advertisement for a yoga instructor. Armstrong had gone into hiding following the crime, making it challenging for detectives to locate her.

After receiving tips that Armstrong might be in Costa Rica, Deputy U.S. Marshals Damien Fernandez and Emir Perez faced the difficult task of finding their suspect in a country filled with countless hostels popular among Americans. Their search ultimately led them to Santa Teresa, a small mountain town.

Despite being cautioned about the resemblance between Armstrong and the local women, Fernandez and Perez persevered. Through a contact who had connections with Armstrong, they discovered that she had changed her name to “Beth” and altered her appearance.

In an attempt to narrow down their search, the authorities decided to place multiple ads seeking a yoga instructor. Their plan worked when someone identifying themselves as a yoga instructor responded, agreeing to meet at a particular hostel. Recognizing the opportunity, Perez met Armstrong, noting bandages on her face from recently undergone cosmetic surgery intended to alter her appearance.

However, the changes were insufficient to fool Perez, who recognized Armstrong’s distinctive eyes. Confirming his suspicions, Perez alerted his partner Fernandez, who was waiting in the car. Together, they coordinated with local police to execute Armstrong’s arrest.

Receipts found at Armstrong’s hostel later revealed that she had paid for plastic surgery. Following her trial, where a Travis County jury found Armstrong guilty of murder, she was sentenced to 90 years in prison.

Attorney details or comments were not immediately available at the time of writing.