Cyclist Moriah Wilson's Killer Kaitlin Armstrong Sentenced to 90 Years

Armstrong used plastic surgery to evade capture after the murder, but was eventually found and convicted.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:29pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single spent bullet casing against a pitch-black background, the metallic surface reflecting the harsh, direct light of the camera flash, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The brutal murder of rising cycling star Moriah Wilson exposed the depths of jealousy and the lengths a killer will go to evade justice.Austin Today

Moriah 'Mo' Wilson, a rising star in the world of gravel cycling, was tragically murdered in May 2022 in Austin, Texas. Investigators quickly focused on Kaitlin Marie Armstrong, Wilson's romantic rival, as the prime suspect. Armstrong fled the country but was eventually apprehended in Costa Rica, where she had undergone plastic surgery in an attempt to evade capture. In November 2023, Armstrong was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to 90 years in prison, a sentence that was upheld on appeal in 2026.

Why it matters

The case drew widespread attention not only because of the shocking circumstances of Wilson's killing, but also due to the high-profile manhunt and Armstrong's use of plastic surgery to try to avoid prosecution. The case highlights the lengths some will go to in order to cover up a crime, as well as the dedication of law enforcement to bring such perpetrators to justice.

The details

On the night of May 11, 2022, 25-year-old professional cyclist Moriah 'Mo' Wilson was found fatally shot at a property in Austin, Texas where she had been staying ahead of a race. Investigators quickly identified Kaitlin Marie Armstrong, a yoga instructor and estate agent who had been in a long-term, on-off relationship with professional cyclist Colin Strickland, a man Wilson had briefly dated, as the prime suspect. Prosecutors argued that Armstrong, motivated by jealousy, had tracked Wilson's movements and confronted and shot her.

  • On May 11, 2022, Wilson was found fatally shot in Austin, Texas.
  • In June 2022, Armstrong was arrested after a 43-day international manhunt.
  • In November 2023, a jury found Armstrong guilty of first-degree murder.
  • In January 2026, the Texas Third Court of Appeals upheld Armstrong's conviction and 90-year sentence.

The players

Moriah 'Mo' Wilson

A 25-year-old professional cyclist from Vermont who was widely regarded as one of the sport's brightest talents, having transitioned from competitive skiing to become a standout endurance cyclist with major wins to her name.

Kaitlin Marie Armstrong

A yoga instructor and estate agent who had been in a long-term, on-off relationship with professional cyclist Colin Strickland, a man Wilson had briefly dated. Prosecutors argued that Armstrong, motivated by jealousy, had tracked Wilson's movements and confronted and shot her.

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What’s next

As of 2026, Kaitlin Armstrong is serving her 90-year sentence at the Dr. Lane Murray Unit, a prison in Gatesville, Texas. She is expected to spend decades behind bars, with eligibility for parole only after serving around 30 years of her sentence, meaning she would not be considered until the early 2050s.

The takeaway

The case highlights the tragic loss of a rising star in the cycling world, as well as the lengths some will go to in order to cover up a crime. It also underscores the dedication of law enforcement to bring such perpetrators to justice, even in the face of attempts to evade capture.