Star cyclist Moriah “Mo” Wilson had plenty of competitors on the course. However, it was the obsession of an apparent romantic rival, Kaitlin Armstrong, that tragically cut Wilson’s life short.
The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilson debuts Friday, April 3, on Netflix and reexamines the titular athlete’s murder. Armstrong—who prosecutors argued was jealous of the cyclist’s friendship with her off-again, on-again boyfriend Colin Strickland—fatally shot Wilson on May 11, 2022. The following year, a jury found Armstrong guilty of first-degree murder, and she is currently serving a 90-year prison sentence.
Just as shocking as the crime itself was Armstrong’s flight from justice, with the yoga instructor leading authorities on a six-week international manhunt. Now, the documentary is expected to offer new details on her background and the case.
Here’s what we know about Armstrong and her current life in prison.
Who Is Kaitlin Armstrong?
Armstrong was born November 21, 1987, and grew up in Livonia, Michigan. Her parents are Sharon and Michael Armstrong, and she has one sister, Christine Armstrong.
Little has been publicized about Kaitlin’s early life. She played multiple sports in high school and attended Eastern Michigan University. She has a background in finance and became a certified yoga instructor in Indonesia, according to People.
Armstrong met cyclist Colin Strickland on a dating app in October 2019. Strickland testified they began a “two-and-a-half-year at times tumultuous” romantic relationship, with Armstrong accompanying him to races, but questioned their long-term compatibility based on their different interests, according to court documents.
Still, the pair’s relationship expanded into business. Armstrong managed Strickland’s finances, and they formed an LLC and bought a home in Lockhart, Texas. Strickland also bought two pistols, one for himself and Armstrong, after she “expressed paranoia” over road rage incidents and riding alone.
Why Did Kaitlin Armstrong Kill Moriah Wilson?
Throwing added friction into the relationship, Strickland met Moriah Wilson in September 2021. She was a rising gravel cyclist whom he considered “an immense talent.” The two continued to meet and train together, embarking on a short “romantic” relationship when she visited Austin, Texas, in October 2021—with Strickland later telling police he and Armstrong were on a break at the time. The relationship between Strickland and Wilson became platonic by year’s end.
Although Armstrong and Strickland reconciled, she became jealous of his friendship with Wilson. She reportedly threatened Wilson multiple times to end the connection, leading Wilson to block Armstrong’s number. Strickland also kept Wilson in his contacts under a fake identity so Armstrong wouldn’t find out the two were still communicating.
Nicole Mertz, a friend of Armstrong, testified in court that Armstrong told her she “would kill” anyone who ever started a relationship with Strickland.
Those words rang hauntingly true on May 11, 2022, when Wilson was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds at a friend’s home in Austin. Investigators executed a search warrant at Armstrong’s house the following day and matched one of the guns found there, a Sig-Sauer P365, to the crime scene. They questioned Armstrong over a separate warrant, but released her over an incorrect birthday—giving her a window to flee.
She was still a suspect of interest, but authorities had to find her first.
How Was Kaitlin Armstrong Arrested?
Investigators suspected Armstrong had fled to Costa Rica, according to CBS News. It was later discovered she used a fraudulent passport to fly there from Newark, New Jersey.
It turned out she had also altered her appearance, undergoing plastic surgery and cutting and dyeing her hair. She even assumed fake names, including Beth and Ari.
Two Deputy U.S. Marshals, Emir Perez and Damien Fernandez, attempted to locate Armstrong in the beach town of Santa Teresa—sending a female operative to yoga classes on the chance she might be teaching. Although this was unsuccessful, they were on the right track.
Eventually, they placed a fake ad looking for a yoga instructor and received an answer—leading them to a hostel called Don Jon’s. There, on June 29, 2022, they found Armstrong, who had facial bandages but was identifiable by her eyes, after 43 days on the run and arrested her. She was returned to Texas and arraigned in July; she pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in Wilson’s death.
Armstrong remained in custody, making an unsuccessful attempt to flee while attending a medical appointment in October 2023. After multiple delays to her court date, the jury found her guilty at trial on November 16, and Armstrong was sentenced to 90 years in prison.
Has Kaitlin Armstrong Appealed Her Murder Conviction?
Armstrong has filed multiple challenges to her sentence. In December 2023, her legal team filed a motion seeking a new trial, alleging she was pregnant at the time of her arrest.
The petition included an affidavit from Armstrong’s father stating his belief Kaitlin was pregnant and likely miscarried while in custody, according to CBS Austin. The filing argued her condition should have been presented as mitigating evidence during sentencing.
Armstrong eventually requested an evidentiary hearing, which was denied in August 2024, according to KVUE. Weeks later in September, Armstrong petitioned the Texas Third Circuit Court of Appeals to review the decision on the evidentiary hearing. But in January 2026, the Third Circuit Court affirmed her conviction and deemed there was “no reversible error” at her trial.
In the meantime, Moriah’s parents, Karen and Eric Wilson, filed a wrongful death civil lawsuit against Armstrong in May 2024. Attorney Randy Howry told KATV the suit was meant to prevent Armstrong from profiting off her story, such as through book or TV deals. Later that year, a judge awarded the Wilsons $15 million total for “mental anguish, including emotional pain, torment and suffering from the death of [their] daughter” and exemplary damages.
Where Is Kaitlin Armstrong Incarcerated?
Armstrong is currently serving her sentence at the Dr. Lane Murray Unit, a women’s prison located in Gatesville, Texas, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) inmate database.
Armstrong has a projected release date of July 3, 2112, but is first eligible for parole in 2052.
Little is known about Armstrong’s day-to-day routine at the facility, but other prisoners have been vocally critical of the conditions at Murray. In August 2024, former inmate Chanel Jones spoke to ABC 25 in Waco, Texas, about the excessive heat in prisoners’ living areas. “It’s like being inside an oven. Honestly, that’s what it feels like—it’s like being inside of an oven,” she explained, adding that inmates sometimes dunk their clothing in toilet water to try to cool down.
The buildings at Murray are mechanically ventilated, but not air-conditioned as of September 2025, according to the American Institute of Architects, Dallas. In response to inmate lawsuits related to conditions across multiple prisons, the TDCJ has offered personal-sized fans and cooling towels for purchase in their commissaries and made ice water available for drinking.
The state has maintained no heat-related deaths have occurred since 2012, but researchers have disputed this claim.
How to Watch The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilson on Netflix on April 3
It’s unclear if Armstrong was asked to participate in the documentary. Netflix previously confirmed new interviews with Wilson’s family, friends, and colleagues.
We’ll see if there is any new information about the killer when The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilson debuts on Netflix April 3.
Tyler Piccotti joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Editor and is now the News and Culture Editor. He previously worked as a reporter and copy editor for a daily newspaper recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors. In his current role, he shares the true stories behind your favorite movies and TV shows and profiles rising musicians, actors, and athletes. When he's not working, you can find him at the nearest amusement park or movie theater and cheering on his favorite teams.
