The cycling world was shocked in May 2022 when rising star Anna Moriah “Mo” Wilson was found dead in Austin, Texas. The young athlete, known for her vibrant personality and incredible talent, was in town for a race, her future shining bright. But her life was cut tragically short, entangled in a web of romance, jealousy, and ultimately, murder.
Mo Wilson, originally from Vermont, was a force of nature. She excelled at every sport she touched, from skiing to cycling. She was quickly climbing the ranks of professional mountain biking, captivating the community with her spirit and dedication.
alt=Mo Wilson smiling brightly during a bike race
Her journey took her to Austin, but her stay took a sinister turn when she was found dead in the bathroom of a friend’s apartment. The scene was gruesome. Mo had been shot multiple times. The brutality of the crime immediately suggested a personal motive, ruling out robbery as a possibility.
The investigation began immediately, focusing on those closest to Mo. Caitlyn Cash, the friend Mo was staying with, provided the first crucial lead: Colin Strickland, a fellow cyclist and someone Mo had been romantically involved with.
alt=Colin Strickland riding his bike with determination
Colin, a well-known figure in the cycling community himself, admitted to a brief relationship with Mo. However, he maintained that they were just friends at the time of her death. He claimed to be in a relationship with another woman, Kaitlin Armstrong.
However, the investigation revealed a complicated romantic triangle. Colin and Kaitlin had a tumultuous, on-again-off-again relationship. When they were broken up, Colin and Mo began their short-lived romance. Although their relationship had ended, Kaitlin was allegedly unaware, believing Colin to be her current boyfriend.
Police quickly honed in on Kaitlin as a person of interest. Surveillance footage showed her SUV circling the vicinity of the crime scene on the night of Mo’s murder. Additionally, Colin revealed that he had purchased two handguns, one for himself and one for Kaitlin.
alt=A black SUV similar to the one Kaitlin Armstrong owned
When questioned, Kaitlin was evasive and asked to leave the police station. She then disappeared, setting off a 43-day manhunt that spanned continents. She was eventually found in Costa Rica, living under a false identity and attempting to build a new life.
The evidence against Kaitlin was mounting. Her digital footprint told a damning story. She had access to Colin’s messages and emails, revealing his past relationship with Mo. Prosecutors believe Kaitlin had been digitally stalking and harassing Mo, driven by jealousy and rage.
The trial was tense. The prosecution presented a strong case built on circumstantial evidence. They pointed to Kaitlin’s jealousy, her presence near the crime scene, and her subsequent flight as proof of guilt. The defense argued that the evidence was circumstantial, failing to definitively place Kaitlin at the scene of the crime.
alt=A gavel and law books symbolizing the judicial process
The turning point came with a chilling discovery. DNA evidence linked Kaitlin to Mo’s bicycle, which had been discarded near the crime scene. The prosecution argued that this, combined with the existing evidence, painted a clear picture of Kaitlin’s guilt.
After a grueling trial, the jury delivered a guilty verdict. Kaitlin Armstrong was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Mo Wilson. The verdict brought a sense of justice, but it couldn’t erase the tragedy of Mo’s untimely death.
Mo Wilson’s story is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of jealousy and obsession. Her life, brimming with potential, was cut short in a senseless act of violence. Though she is gone, her legacy as a fierce competitor and bright light in the cycling world will never be forgotten.
