'Yoga Teacher Killer': How jealousy and a love triangle drove Kaitlin Armstrong over the edge
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Lifetime is set to release a new movie titled 'Yoga Teacher Killer: The Kaitlin Armstrong Story', which is inspired by real events.
'Yoga Teacher Killer: The Kaitlin Armstrong Story' stars Larissa Dias, Kyle Schmid, and Caity Lotz in pivotal roles. Directed by Katie Boland, the Lifetime movie is based on the true incidents of a deadly love triangle that led the US authorities on an international manhunt.
The official synopsis of the film reads, "When pro-cyclist Moriah Wilson (Larissa Dias) is found dead after a short-lived affair with fellow professional Colin Strickland (Kyle Schmid), all signs point to Texan yoga teacher and Strickland’s on-and-off girlfriend, Kaitlin Armstrong (Caity Lotz). After being accused of allegedly killing Wilson in a jealous rage, she vanishes into thin air."
Let's discuss the real life events that set the stage for 'Yoga Teacher Killer: The Kaitlin Armstrong Story'.
Who is Kaitlin Armstrong?
Kaitlin Armstrong was born on November 21, 1987, in Livonia, Michigan. After graduating from Stevenson High School in 2005, she continued her education at Schoolcraft College and later transferred to Eastern Michigan University.
She became a yoga teacher based in Texas. She led classes that focused on mindfulness, flexibility, and strength, catering to a diverse group of students seeking physical wellness.
Kaitlin was in an on-and-off relationship with Colin Strickland, a professional cyclist known for his competitive spirit and achievements in the sport. Their relationship was marked by its ups and downs, with moments of intense passion and periods of distance and conflict.
In 2022, Kaitlin's life took a drastic turn when she was accused of killing professional cyclist Moriah Wilson, allegedly due to jealousy.
According to Fox 7, Moriah was shot and killed at a home on Maple Avenue near East 17th Street on the night of May 11, 2022. A woman named Caitlin Cash called 911 and reported that when she went to her house, she found Moriah bleeding.
The authorities found Moriah with multiple gunshot wounds. She ultimately died because of the wounds. Surveillance footage from a neighbor later revealed an SUV arriving at the Maple Avenue apartment where Moriah was staying with her friend. The SUV appeared similar to one registered to a woman who lived with Colin, later identified as his girlfriend Kaitlin.
Why did Kaitlin Armstrong kill Moriah Wilson?
Colin informed the police that he and Kaitlin had been in a relationship for approximately three years before they briefly separated for a period of one to two weeks in October 2021.
According to Fox 7, during that break, Colin met Moriah and engaged in a romantic relationship with her. However, later on Colin and Kaitlin reconciled their relationship.
Text messages between Colin and Moriah revealed that Moriah was under the impression that she was in a committed relationship with Colin, despite him being in a relationship with Kaitlin at the time.
Colin also admitted to investigators in May 2022 that he had concealed his relationship status with Moriah and deleted text messages between them to prevent Kaitlin from discovering the truth.
Hours before Moriah's death, she spent time with Colin, going for a swim at Deep Eddy Pool and then a dinner date. However, he was ruled out as a suspect following a police investigation because he did not drop Moriah off at her friend's house where she was staying.
Later on, police located Kaitlin based on CCTV footage. When confronted about the video evidence showing her vehicle, she chose not to make a statement to the police. However, investigators noted that she "turned her head and rolled her eyes in angry manner" when questioned about Moriah's relationship with Colin, as reported by Fox news.
As the investigation progressed, it was revealed that Kaitlin reportedly became aware of the relationship between Moriah and Colin and ultimately decided to kill Moriah.
How did the police capture Kaitlin Armstrong?
After a brief interrogation with the police, law enforcement was unable to locate Kaitlin. Colin also told investigators that he had not seen or spoken to Kaitlin since May 13, 2022.
The US Marshals launched a manhunt for Kaitlin after receiving information that she had traveled from Austin to Houston, and then to New York City, as reported by CBS News.
According to Fox 7, the authorities later discovered that Kaitlin had fraudulently used someone else's passport and had flown from Newark International Airport to San Jose, Costa Rica, on May 18, 2022.
Deputy U.S. Marshals Damien Fernandez and Emir Perez traveled to Costa Rica find her. According to CBS News, Kaitlin used multiple identities and altered her appearance, including undergoing plastic surgery, in an attempt to evade capture.
She successfully evaded law enforcement for over a month before being apprehended on June 29, 2022, at a hostel on Santa Teresa Beach in Costa Rica. She was detained for an immigration violation.
When she was captured, Kaitlin reportedly had her sister's passport as well as her own in her possession. She also allegedly had a receipt for cosmetic surgery, indicating that she had paid $6,350 in cash for the procedure.
During the six-hour drive back to San Jose, Kaitlin maintained that she was Ari Martin. However, she eventually confessed her true identity as Kaitlin Armstrong.
She was extradited to Austin and booked into the Travis County Jail, where she faced a $3.5 million bond for first-degree felony murder.
On November 16, 2023, Kaitlin was found guilty of first-degree murder. She was sentenced to 90 years in prison, with eligibility for parole after 30 years.
Where can Kaitlin Armstrong be found today?
Kaitlin is currently incarcerated at the Dr. Lane Murray Unit, which is a women's prison located in Gatesville, Texas.
According to a report by KVUE, she is scheduled for release from jail in July 2112. However, she is eligible for parole starting in mid-2052.
How to stream 'Yoga Teacher Killer: The Kaitlin Armstrong Story'?
'Yoga Teacher Killer: The Kaitlin Armstrong Story' will be available for streaming on Lifetime from Saturday, June 15, 2024.
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'Yoga Teacher Killer: The Kaitlin Armstrong Story' trailer
While a trailer for the movie is not currently available, stay tuned for updates. We'll keep you informed as soon as any new developments arise, ensuring you're among the first to know about any exciting previews or releases related to the film.