Disclaimer: The article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised.
On May 11, 2022, one of Anna Moriah “MO” Wilson’s friends discovered her dead body inside an apartment in Austin, Texas. The apartment belonged to Wilson’s friend, and the late cyclist stayed there to prepare for an upcoming race. Reports indicated that her friend called 911 and tried giving her CPR. However, she couldn’t save her. As the investigation progressed, police suspected a woman named Kaitlin Armstrong was responsible for Wilson’s death. The brutal murder case will feature in this week’s Dateline NBC. It will air on the network on Friday, April 5, at 9 p.m. ET.
Authorities obtained footage from the neighbor’s security camera and found that a Black Jeep SUV passed the house where the crime took place. As per People Magazine, the vehicle belonged to Kaitlin Armstrong. Police reached the address where Armstrong lived with her boyfriend, Colin Strickland. A day later, authorities searched their apartment and found a handgun. The publication reported that the weapon belonged to Armstrong. Additionally, the particular handgun had the exact kind of shell casings that were discovered at Wilson’s friend’s house.
CBS News reported that after authorities questioned her, she was subsequently released. A couple of days later, Armstrong left the country and arrived in Costa Rica. After authorities followed her to Costa Rica, they formulated a plan and posted an advertisement on social media searching for a yoga instructor. The plan worked, and Armstrong contacted them. Soon after, authorities arrested her and found that she had plastic surgery.
Afterward, police extradited her to the US and charged her with first-degree murder. The jury found Kaitlin Armstrong guilty and sentenced her to 90 years in prison.
Anna Moriah “MO” Wilson’s murder case explored
The investigation reportedly began right after investigators found out about the owner of the vehicle. They searched Kaitlin Armstrong’s apartment and questioned her boyfriend, Colin Strickland. The latter opened up about their relationship and also revealed that he met Anna Moriah “MO” Wilson the day before her brutal murder.
Citing Strickland, CBS News mentioned that he had a “brief romantic relationship” with Wilson after he broke up with Armstrong. However, the relationship ended in a week, and he got back with Armstrong. But Strickland maintained a “professional” relationship with Wilson.
After fleeing the US, Kaitlin Armstrong arrived in Costa Rica. Authorities devised a plan to catch her and sought help from the Costa Rican police. People Magazine noted that US Marshals tracked down Armstrong and identified her. Subsequently, they arrested her and extradited her to the US.
Armstrong tried escaping three weeks before the trial
Per CNN, Armstrong was charged with first-degree murder, but she pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, three weeks before her trial, Armstrong escaped when authorities were taking her to prison from a doctor’s appointment outside the prison facility, reported People Magazine.
After a mile-long chase, police caught her and took her to prison. During the trial, the prosecution called several witnesses and tried to prove that Kaitlin Armstrong was responsible for Anna Moriah “MO” Wilson. As per Court TV, one of Armstrong’s friends testified in court and said that she wanted to kill Wilson.
Citing her testimony, the publication mentioned that Armstrong and her friend met in January 2022. During that meeting, Armstrong alleged that she found out about the relationship between Strickland and Wilson. She told the court that Armstrong wanted to kill Wilson. The prosecution labeled “jealousy” as the primary motive for the murder. After the closing arguments, the jury deliberated for two hours and found Armstrong guilty, reported CBS Austin. As a result, she was sentenced to 90 years in prison.
