'Dateline NBC’: Who killed Anna ‘Mo’ Wilson? Romantic rivalry turned deadly for Texas’ young cyclist
KIRBY, VERMONT: Anna 'Mo' Wilson was killed by Kaitlin Armstrong, who acted out of jealousy and revenge in a love triangle involving Anna, Armstrong, and Colin Strickland. The case unfolded on May 11, 2022, when Anna Wilson, a rising professional cyclist, was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds in Austin, Texas.
Armstrong, a yoga instructor and licensed realtor, committed the crime after learning about Anna's romantic relationship with Colin Strickland, Armstrong's on-and-off boyfriend.
Surveillance footage showed Armstrong's vehicle arriving at the scene just before the killing, and forensic evidence linked her firearm to the crime.
An autopsy confirmed that Anna Wilson's death was a homicide. She sustained three gunshot wounds, including two to the head and one to the chest. The shots were fired while she was lying on the floor, according to information obtained from a search warrant. This detailed examination of the crime scene provided crucial evidence for the investigation into Wilson's tragic death.
'Dateline NBC' Season 32's new episode delves deeper into this case, as Keith Morrison along with other prominent key individuals related to the case will be featured in the brand new episode.
Who was Anna 'Mo' Wilson?
Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson was a talented professional cyclist who tragically lost her life in May 2022 at the age of 25. Originally from Vermont, she was a former alpine skier at Dartmouth College and transitioned into gravel and mountain bike racing.
Wilson was known for her promising career in competitive cycling and was considered a rising star in the sport. She was visiting Austin, Texas, before a race when she was fatally shot in a case that garnered significant attention and led to the conviction of Kaitlin Armstrong for her murder.
How did Kaitlin Armstrong find out about Anna 'Mo' Wilson and Colin Strickland’s affair?
Kaitlin Armstrong found out about Anna and Colin's brief romantic involvement through various means. According to police reports and testimonies, Colin Strickland initially denied knowing Anna when questioned by authorities.
However, as the investigation progressed, Strickland eventually admitted to the relationship and to keeping communication with Anna hidden from Armstrong.
He confessed to deleting text messages from Anna on his phone and saving her phone number under a pseudonym to conceal their interactions from Armstrong. Additionally, Armstrong reportedly became aware of the relationship through other channels.
An anonymous tipster informed authorities that Armstrong expressed a strong desire to harm Anna upon learning about her involvement with Strickland. This tip prompted investigators to look into Armstrong's intentions further. Strickland himself revealed that Armstrong had bought two handguns for them, indicating her potential intentions to confront Anna.
Furthermore, a police examination of Anna's phone provided evidence of her romantic ties to Strickland while he was still involved with Armstrong.
Text messages and call records on Anna's phone corroborated her relationship with Strickland. These findings, coupled with testimonies from various sources, painted a picture of how Armstrong learned about Anna and Colin's affair, ultimately leading to the tragic outcome.
Why did Kaitlin Armstrong kill Anna 'Mo' Wilson?
Kaitlin Armstrong's motive for killing Anna Wilson stemmed from jealousy and rage triggered by Wilson's romantic involvement with Colin Strickland, Armstrong's on-and-off boyfriend.
The sequence of events leading to the fatal shooting began with Strickland briefly dating Wilson several months before the incident. During this time, Wilson and Strickland went swimming together and had a meal, activities that fueled Armstrong's jealousy.
Armstrong's resentment toward Wilson intensified as she learned more about the relationship between Wilson and Strickland. According to testimonies and police reports, Armstrong became increasingly agitated upon discovering evidence of the affair, including text messages and call records between Wilson and Strickland on Wilson's phone.
The jealousy and anger eventually culminated in Armstrong's decision to confront Wilson at the apartment where Wilson was staying in Austin, Texas. Armstrong tracked Wilson's location through a fitness app and arrived at the residence, where she fatally shot Wilson multiple times. The attack, described as a jealous rage, resulted in Wilson's tragic death.
Overall, Armstrong's actions were driven by her feelings of betrayal and possessiveness over Strickland, leading her to resort to violence against Wilson, whom she perceived as a threat to her relationship with Strickland.
How did the police find Kaitlin Armstrong guilty?
The police built a compelling case against Kaitlin Armstrong for the murder of Anna Wilson, employing various investigative techniques and evidence collection methods. Surveillance footage captured Armstrong's presence at the scene of the crime, placing her at the Austin residence moments before the fatal shooting occurred.
Moreover, witnesses provided crucial testimony, detailing Armstrong's jealousy and animosity towards Wilson, which served to establish motive. Forensic analysis of the crime scene, including recovered shell casings and firearms, linked Armstrong directly to the shooting.
Examination of Wilson's phone records and digital communications corroborated the motive, revealing the extent of her relationship with Colin Strickland.
Armstrong's attempt to flee to Costa Rica following the murder, coupled with her use of fake identities and plastic surgery to alter her appearance, underscored her awareness of guilt.
During interrogation, Armstrong's behavior, including her refusal to speak and visible signs of anger when questioned about Wilson's relationship with Strickland, further implicated her in the crime. Ultimately, the cumulative evidence gathered by the police led to Armstrong's conviction for first-degree murder.
What sentence was announced to Kaitlin Armstrong?
Kaitlin Armstrong, convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Anna Wilson, was sentenced to 90 years in prison. The jury deliberated for over three hours before delivering the sentence, following a two-hour deliberation that resulted in her conviction.
Prosecutors argued that Armstrong committed the crime out of jealousy, as Wilson had briefly dated Armstrong's boyfriend several months prior to the incident.
Despite Armstrong's defense attorneys advocating for a lesser sentence, the jury determined that a 90-year prison term was appropriate. Under Texas law, Armstrong will be eligible for parole after serving 30 years of her sentence.
The sentencing marked the culmination of a highly publicized trial that captured national attention.
'Dateline NBC' Season 32 airs new episodes every Friday at 8 pm ET on NBC. The latest episodes are available for streaming on Peacock the following day.