AUSTIN (KXAN) — Kaitlin Marie Armstrong, the woman accused of murdering professional cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson in Austin, was dropped off at the Newark Liberty International Airport a day after Austin police obtained an arrest warrant, the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force said Monday in a release.
The U.S. Marshals upgraded the Armstrong investigation to major case status and are offering up to $5,000 as a reward for information leading to her arrest, the release said.
The release said Armstrong was dropped off at the New Jersey airport May 18, but no outbound flight reservations had been made in Armstrong’s name, the release said.
“Now with that being said, there’s a lot of things that could have happened,” said Deputy U.S. Marshal Brandon Filla. “She could have been very deceptive to stay off radar, meaning she got transportation to the airport and may have been there – then got transportation out of there like rideshare or bus. But we do know its been confirmed through our investigation her last known whereabouts were at that airport on May 18.”
Armstrong, 34, is suspected of killing Wilson, 25, a Vermont native and world class cyclist who was in Texas for a race. Wilson was shot and killed the evening of May 11 at a home off Maple Avenue in east Austin, police said.
Surveillance footage depicted Armstrong passing through Austin-Bergstrom International Airport May 14.
Around 12:30 p.m. on May 14, Armstrong flew from AUS to the Houston Hobby Airport before connecting to New York’s LaGuardia Airport, the U.S. Marshals said previously.
Kaitlin Marie Armstrong, wanted and accused of murder (U.S. Marshals Photo) 
Kaitlin Marie Armstrong, wanted and accused of murder (U.S. Marshals Photo) 
Kaitlin Marie Armstrong, wanted and accused of murder (U.S. Marshals Photo)
U.S. Marshals described Armstrong as white, 5’8″ tall and weighing around 125 pounds. She has long, curly, light brown hair and hazel eyes.
She was last seen wearing a blue denim jacket, black shirt with a pink design on the chest, white jeans, black-and-white tennis shoes and a black COVID-19 mask with a possible yoga mat holder on her shoulders.
Filla says even though Armstrong may not be in Texas anymore, tips from people who know her locally are still crucial in this investigation.
“Sometimes that information that you think may be very small may be the connecting piece of our puzzle in this challenging case that you have here before us,” he said. “Unfortunately she is not in custody at this time, but she is slowly losing her freedom because she is having to stay under the radar, she is having to look over her shoulder.”
Catch up on the investigation
- Murder suspect flew out of Austin to New York days after cyclist’s death
- US Marshals believe suspect connected with homicide still in Austin area
- As federal agents search for Austin murder suspect, #RideLikeMo starts in honor of victim
- Search warrant obtained for south Austin home after deadly shooting of gravel racer
- Young gravel racing star shot, killed in east Austin earlier this week
On May 25, another warrant for Armstrong was obtained for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, the release said.
Anyone with information on Armstrong’s whereabouts should call the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102 or submit a tip using the USMS Tips app. Tips, which may be anonymous, can also be sent to the Capital Area Crime Stoppers at 1-800-893-8477.
