Cycling star moriah 'mo' wilson's tragic murder cracked after manhunt

American cycling sensation Moriah Wilson, just 25, was brutally shot and killed in her friend's home in May 2022, sending shockwaves through the sport. But a complex web of jealousy, a love triangle, and international intrigue would unravel in the following months, culminating in a stunning conviction.

Wilson's rise to fame cut short

Known as 'Mo' to her loved ones, Wilson was a rising star in off-road racing disciplines like gravel and mountain biking. A former elite skier and Dartmouth graduate, she brought a rare combination of endurance and technical skill to cycling. Just a year before her death, Wilson had already secured major victories including the Big Sugar Gravel race, with many tipping her for even greater success.

Jealousy and a love triangle lead to murder

Wilson's life was cut short when she was confronted and fatally shot at a friend's home in Austin, Texas. The investigation quickly zeroed in on Kaitlin Armstrong, a yoga instructor and estate agent who had been in a long-term, on-off relationship with professional cyclist Colin Strickland – also Wilson's former boyfriend.

Prosecutors argued that Armstrong, consumed by jealousy, tracked Wilson's movements and confronted her, leading to the deadly shooting. Armstrong fled the US, triggering a 43-day international manhunt that ended with her arrest in Costa Rica, where she had undergone plastic surgery to alter her appearance.

Conviction and sentence

In November 2023, a Texas jury found Armstrong guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced her to 90 years in prison. Her conviction was upheld on appeal in 2026, securing justice for Wilson's family. Separately, Armstrong was ordered to pay $15 million in a wrongful death lawsuit, with the goal of preventing her from profiting from the crime.