The Tragic Murder of Pro Cyclist Moriah Wilson and the International Manhunt for Kaitlin Armstrong
A Rising Star in Gravel Cycling
Moriah Wilson, known to her friends and family as "Mo," was a 25-year-old professional gravel cyclist whose career was quickly taking off. Originally from Kirby, Vermont, Moriah grew up in a family of athletes and initially showed immense promise as an alpine skier. After suffering two significant knee injuries, she transitioned her focus and work ethic to cycling. By 2022, she had left her full-time job to dedicate herself entirely to racing. She traveled to Austin, Texas, in May 2022 to compete in the Gravel Locos race, an event that was expected to further cement her status as a top contender in the sport.
A Complicated Dynamic
In the months leading up to her trip to Austin, Moriah had developed a connection with fellow professional cyclist Colin Strickland. The two met in late 2021 during a period when Colin was separated from his longtime partner, Kaitlin Armstrong. However, when Colin and Kaitlin reconciled, Colin failed to clearly define the boundaries of his relationships, leaving both women with a different understanding of the situation. Kaitlin became increasingly aware of Moriah, using the fitness app Strava to track her cycling routes and expressing intense anger to her friends about the ongoing connection between Colin and Moriah.
The Night of May 11, 2022
On the evening of May 11, Moriah and Colin spent time together at a local Austin swimming spot and restaurant. Colin dropped Moriah off at a friend's apartment around 8:30 PM. Surveillance footage showed that within roughly a minute of Colin leaving, a black Jeep Cherokee matching the description of Kaitlin's vehicle pulled up to the residence. Shortly after 9:15 PM, a neighbor's security camera captured the sound of a woman screaming followed by multiple gunshots. Moriah was found unresponsive with fatal gunshot wounds, and evidence at the scene quickly pointed investigators toward Kaitlin.
The Escape and Capture
Realizing she was a suspect, Kaitlin sold her Jeep for cash and fled the country. Using her sister's passport, she traveled to Costa Rica, where she attempted to build a new life under the alias "Ari." She cut and dyed her hair and even underwent cosmetic surgery on her nose to alter her appearance. After 43 days on the run, US Marshals and international authorities located her at a hostel in Santa Teresa. Kaitlin was brought back to Texas, where a jury ultimately found her guilty of first-degree murder, resulting in a 90-year prison sentence.
