Murder, Jealousy, and a Deadly Love Triangle: The Tragic Case of Moriah “Mo” Wilson

On the evening of May 11, 2022, Austin police responded to a harrowing 911 call that would uncover one of the most chilling love-triangle murders in recent memory. The caller, Caitlin Cash, had just returned home to find her friend—professional cyclist Moriah “Mo” Wilson—lying on the bathroom floor, covered in blood. Moments later, paramedics confirmed what Cash feared: Wilson had been shot and killed.

Wilson, a 25-year-old competitive cyclist originally from Vermont and living in San Francisco, was in Austin to compete in a high-profile gravel race. She had been staying with Cash for the week. As police arrived and began their investigation, it quickly became evident this was no robbery gone wrong—it was a calculated, deeply personal murder.

A Rising Star Cut Short

Mo Wilson was a rising figure in the world of professional cycling, known for her remarkable endurance and a string of impressive race victories. Her promising future made the brutality of her death even more shocking. She had no known enemies and was generally described as kind, driven, and well-liked. But as detectives began peeling back the layers of her personal life, a far more complicated and emotionally volatile situation came to light.

The First Lead: A Missing Bike

Initially, investigators suspected that Wilson may have been the victim of a targeted theft, especially since her $10,000 racing bike was missing from the residence. However, this theory began to unravel when the bike was discovered dumped in nearby woods. The careless placement of such an expensive item suggested not theft, but a staged distraction.

Police collected bullet casings at the scene, and an autopsy confirmed Wilson had been shot multiple times, including a fatal wound to the head. The bullets had pierced her skull with such force that cerebral spinal fluid was found pooling on the bathroom floor. Wilson likely died instantly.

The Key Witness

Caitlin Cash, the homeowner and Wilson’s friend, became the police’s first witness. She told authorities that Wilson had spent the day with her ex-boyfriend, fellow cyclist Colin Strickland. According to Cash, Wilson and Strickland had gone swimming earlier that day, and she was alive when Cash left for dinner around 5:30 p.m. When Cash returned later that evening, she discovered Wilson’s lifeless body.

Though initially considered a person of interest, Cash willingly underwent a gunshot residue test, which came back negative. Her account was consistent, and she showed no signs of involvement. However, her statement pointed police toward someone far more crucial to the investigation—Colin Strickland.

Colin Strickland: The Link Between Two Women

Strickland, a well-known cyclist in his own right, had dated Wilson during a brief break from his long-term girlfriend, Caitlin Armstrong, in late 2021. Though he had resumed his relationship with Armstrong afterward, he allegedly kept in touch with Wilson, a detail that would later prove significant.

As police examined the timeline, Strickland admitted to spending time with Wilson the night she died but insisted he dropped her off at Cash’s home and had no contact afterward. However, things took a turn when CCTV footage surfaced showing a black Jeep Grand Cherokee near Cash’s home around the time of the murder. Audio captured by Ring doorbells recorded the unmistakable sound of gunfire shortly after the Jeep was seen arriving.

The Jeep, the Girlfriend, and a Growing Suspicion

Investigators traced the Jeep to Caitlin Armstrong—Colin Strickland’s girlfriend. Not only did Armstrong own the vehicle, but it was seen parked at Strickland’s house during a police visit shortly after the murder. Further digging revealed a motive that was both simple and chilling: jealousy.

Armstrong reportedly knew about Strickland’s past relationship with Wilson and was furious that he continued communicating with her. Police unearthed messages and statements suggesting that Armstrong felt threatened by Wilson and had previously expressed anger and resentment over their continued contact.

This new information led to a warrant for Armstrong’s arrest. But by the time authorities moved in to detain her, she had vanished.

A Nationwide Manhunt

Armstrong sold her Jeep, withdrew a significant amount of cash, and fled the country using a fraudulent passport. Her disappearance launched a six-week international manhunt. Eventually, she was captured in Costa Rica, where she had drastically altered her appearance and was living under an assumed name, reportedly taking yoga classes and attempting to blend in as a local.

She was extradited back to the U.S. in July 2022 to face murder charges.

The Aftermath and the Case Ahead

Caitlin Armstrong has since been charged with the murder of Moriah Wilson. Her legal team has denied the allegations, but the evidence—including digital records, vehicle tracking data, ballistic matches, and surveillance footage—has painted a damning picture. As of now, she awaits trial.

The tragic killing of Moriah Wilson shocked the cycling community and captivated the public. It was a story of ambition and betrayal, love and obsession—a convergence of lives that ended with an irreversible act of violence.

A Reminder of the Human Cost

While the headlines focused on a love triangle gone deadly, it’s important to remember who Moriah Wilson was: a passionate athlete, a beloved daughter and friend, and a young woman with her whole life ahead of her. Her death left a void not only in the world of cycling but in the lives of all who knew and loved her.

As the legal process unfolds, Wilson’s family and supporters seek justice and accountability. But no matter the outcome in court, one truth remains—her death was a senseless act rooted in jealousy and fear.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of violence, jealousy, or emotional distress, help is available. Therapy and support networks can provide safe and constructive paths forward. No life should ever be lost because someone felt there was no other way.

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