Woman Accused Of Killing Cyclist Anna Mariah Wilson Was Allowed To Leave Country, Detective Testifies

An Austin detective testified Wednesday that Kaitlin Armstrong was allowed to leave the country when she fled to Costa Rica following the death of professional cyclist Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson.

In testimony, Katy Conner, the homicide detective who initially interviewed Armstrong after Wilson's murder, admitted that while a suspect, the 34-year-old was not formally under arrest at the time of their May 12 interview, which meant she was technically allowed to leave the country. The testimony came as the legality of an arrest warrant filed against Armstrong was questioned during a pre-trial hearing.

Armstrong is accused of shooting Wilson, 25, after she spent an evening with Colin Strickland, Armstrong's boyfriend and also a professional cyclist. Wilson was found shot and unconscious on May 11 in a friend's apartment in East Austin.

Wilson reportedly met Strickland during a break from his long-term relationship with Armstrong. According to an Austin Police Department affidavit, Armstrong was jealous of the relationship.

Surveillance footage from a neighbor's security camera in the neighborhood where Wilson was murdered showed a 2012 black Jeep Cherokee that was nearly identical to Armstrong's vehicle leaving the scene.

During questioning on May 12, detectives played the footage for Armstrong, but after interrogating her, she was told she was not under arrest and was free to leave.

Detectives continued working to build a case, but by the time an arrest warrant was issued on May 17, Armstrong had already fled the country with her sister's passport. A $12,000 reward was offered to anyone with information about her whereabouts, and a search commenced for 43 days.

U.S. Marshalls eventually discovered her in the secluded beach town of Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, using the alias "Ari," where she taught yoga and worked the front desk of a hostel. Costa Rican authorities then detained her on an immigration charge until she could be extradited to the U.S.

Pre-trial testimony regarding evidence allowed during Armstrong's state trial will continue Monday.