How the 'Love Triangle' Murder Suspect Allegedly Escaped

Kaitlin Armstrong accused of fleeing custody after doctor's appointment
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 12, 2023 12:30 AM CDT
Updated Oct 18, 2023 1:00 AM CDT
UPDATE Oct 18, 2023 1:00 AM CDT

Authorities say Kaitlin Marie Armstrong prepared for her recent escape attempt for months, "running, doing squats and yoga," as shown on surveillance video from the jail where she is imprisoned on charges that she murdered star cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson because Wilson was involved with Armstrong's boyfriend. Armstrong allegedly faked a leg injury so that jail guards would take her to an orthopedics clinic without placing her in leg restraints, Fox News reports. She is accused of using a metal pin and part of a spool of dental floss to pick lock on her handcuffs, and of then removing her distinctive jail pants, underneath which she was wearing thermal underwear. During her 10 minutes on the run, part of which was captured on bystander video, she allegedly injured two guards. At one point, a guard tackled her as she attempted to scale a 6-foot fence; both fell to the ground before she successfully got over and ran.

Oct 12, 2023 12:30 AM CDT

The woman accused of murdering star cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson allegedly tried to escape from custody Wednesday. Kaitlin Marie Armstrong, who authorities say fled to Costa Rica after allegedly murdering the elite cyclist in Texas last year, has been in custody since June 2022, more than a month after Wilson's murder. After being taken to a medical appointment Wednesday morning, the Travis County Sheriff's Office tells CNN, "As she and two corrections officers were exiting the medical building ... Armstrong ran. The officers pursued her on foot for approximately 10 minutes without ever losing sight of her." She made it about a block into a nearby neighborhood, USA Today reports.

She was recaptured, taken to a local hospital, and is now back in custody, the sheriff's office says. It's not clear whether she had been restrained while she was being escorted back to a patrol car after the appointment, nor has it been made public what the appointment was for. Her attorney has not commented on the escape allegation. Armstrong, who is accused of fatally shooting Wilson shortly after Wilson returned from going swimming with Armstrong's boyfriend, is scheduled to start trial on a charge of first-degree murder on October 30. She has pleaded not guilty. (More Kaitlin Armstrong stories.)

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