In a daring operation, federal authorities successfully apprehended Kaitlin Armstrong, a Texas woman convicted of murdering Moriah "Mo" Wilson, a prominent bicyclist and perceived romantic rival. The investigation took a drastic turn when authorities planted a phony advertisement, seeking a yoga instructor, in an effort to capture Armstrong.

The search for Armstrong had been daunting as the suspect had vanished from Austin, where the heinous crime took place on May 11, 2022. Tips eventually led investigators to Costa Rica, where Deputy U.S. Marshals Damien Fernandez and Emir Perez faced the enormous challenge of finding Armstrong amidst a sea of Americans living relaxed expatriate lives on the island.

"We had other intelligence indicating that she was staying in hostels in Costa Rica," Perez revealed. "And I don't know if you know anything about Costa Rica, but Costa Rica has a lot of hostels, a lot, an unbelievable amount of hostels."

Despite the overwhelming odds, the search began to narrow down in the small mountain town of Santa Teresa. However, the task of identifying Armstrong became even more formidable due to the striking resemblance between the suspect and many local women.

Undeterred, authorities decided to take a bold approach. "We decided we were gonna put an ad out... or multiple ads for a yoga instructor and see - what would happen," Perez shared. The risky plan paid off when someone identifying themselves as a yoga instructor responded to the advertisement and arranged to meet with authorities at a specific hostel.

Perez seized the opportunity and met Armstrong in person, confirming her identity by noticing bandages on her face, which were later linked to cosmetic surgery she had undergone to alter her appearance. Despite her efforts to change her look, Perez recognized Armstrong's distinctive eyes. "The eyes are the exact same ones that I saw in the picture," he stated.

With certainty that they had found their suspect, local police swiftly moved in for the arrest. Further evidence was uncovered at Armstrong's hostel, including receipts for plastic surgery payments, which she believed would aid in her evasion.

On November 16 of the previous year, a Travis County jury found Armstrong guilty of murder, and the following day she was sentenced to 90 years in prison.

This case highlights the resourcefulness and persistence of law enforcement agencies in the pursuit of justice, demonstrating that even the most meticulous attempts to avoid capture can be surpassed by determined investigators.