Texas

Fugitive Yoga Teacher Eyed in Jealous Rage Killing of Elite Cyclist May Be in NYC: Feds

A warrant was issued for Kaitlin Marie Armstrong earlier in May after she apparently discovered her boyfriend had a previous relationship with cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson

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The U.S. Marshals are searching for a woman in Texas, accused of shooting and killing an up-and-coming cyclist from the Bay Area.

A yoga teacher suspected of killing an elite cyclist possibly in a fit of jealous rage in Texas is believed to have traveled to New York City days after the killing, according to law enforcement.

The U.S. Marshals office released video Wednesday that they say shows Kaitlin Marie Armstrong going through security at the airport in Austin. Investigators said that she boarded a plane heading to Houston, and then took a connecting flight to LaGuardia Airport.

Armstrong, 35, has been on the run from police since May 17, when a homicide warrant was issued for her arrest in connection to the killing of Anna Moriah Wilson.

Authorities said that Wilson, a 25-year-old Vermont native who was in Austin for a cycling race, was found by a friend bleeding and unconscious after she was shot multiple times inside a home on May 11. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Armstrong was last heard from on May 13, the affidavit says, according to NBC affiliate KXAN of Austin.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by KXAN, Armstrong had been in a relationship with professional cyclist Colin Strickland for roughly three years. But during a break in their relationship, Strickland had begun seeing Wilson, the affidavit says.

Based on a search of Wilson's phone, investigators said messages indicated Wilson believed she was "still in a romantic relationship with Strickland even though he was currently dating Armstrong," the affidavit says, according to KXAN.

According to police documents, Strickland was living with Armstrong the day that he and Wilson went swimming.

Wilson's body was found shortly after the pair's swimming meetup on May 11. Law enforcement believes that Armstrong found out about that pool date and shot Wilson out of jealousy.

What investigators are trying to determine is what may have brought Armstrong to Queens.

"That's what we are all trying to figure out: Why New York?" said U.S. Marshal Brandon Filla. "Now we sit back and saw 'Why New York?' And I think there a lot of questions we have, and those questions will get answered once we can get Kaitlin Armstrong into custody."

Armstrong was last seen with a yoga mat carrier over her shoulder, a blue denim jacket with black and white sneakers and long brown curly hair. Filla said it's possible she has changed her appearance.

"She may shorten her hair, she may die her hair, those are all the things that we have to prepare for. She could be capable because we know that she fled the Austin area," Filla said.

Marshals are hoping someone may remember Armstrong using transportation — a vehicle, bus or train — after getting off at LaGuardia Airport. They said she is considered armed and dangerous, and warned that anyone helping her hide could also face charges.

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