Where is Kaitlin Armstrong now? 'Dateline NBC' delves into deadly love triangle that led to Anna Mo Wilson's murder
DAYTON, TEXAS: Kaitlin Armstrong is currently serving a 90-year prison sentence at Plane Jail in Dayton. She was convicted of the murder of professional cyclist Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson, having fatally shot her multiple times at a residence in Austin, Texas.
Armstrong's actions were driven by jealousy and anger towards Wilson, who had been briefly involved with Armstrong's on-and-off boyfriend, professional cyclist Colin Strickland.
The latest episode of The 'Dateline NBC' Season 32 will focus on the murder case of Anna Wilson, with Keith Morrison delving deeper into the lesser-known secrets surrounding the case. Morrison will also interview key individuals involved in the investigation.
Who is Kaitlin Armstrong?
Kaitlin Armstrong, born on November 21, 1987, grew up in Livonia, Michigan. Following her graduation from Stevenson High School in 2005, she continued her education at Schoolcraft College and Eastern Michigan University. Armstrong is known to have worked as a yoga teacher and a licensed realtor.
Armstrong gained notoriety following the tragic events of May 11, 2022, when she fatally shot Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson, a rising professional cyclist, at a friend's residence in Austin, Texas.
Armstrong's actions were motivated by jealousy, which was triggered by Wilson's romantic involvement with Armstrong's on-and-off boyfriend, professional cyclist Colin Strickland.
Before her conviction, Armstrong attempted to evade authorities by fleeing to Costa Rica. She assumed fake identities, underwent plastic surgery to alter her appearance, and sought opportunities to teach yoga under various aliases. However, US Marshals were able to locate and apprehend her after a 43-day international search.
Armstrong's trial began on October 30, 2023, and she was found guilty of first-degree murder on November 16, 2023.
When did Kaitlin Armstrong find out Colin Strickland cheating on her?
In the fall of 2021, Kaitlin Armstrong discovered Colin Strickland's infidelity. During a brief separation from Armstrong, Strickland met Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson and initiated a romantic relationship with her.
This revelation came as a devastating blow to Armstrong, who had been in an on-and-off relationship with Strickland and remained emotionally invested in their connection. When Armstrong and Strickland later reconciled and resumed their relationship, the knowledge of Strickland's previous affair with Wilson lingered, causing tension and resentment between Armstrong and Wilson.
The discovery of Strickland's infidelity fueled Armstrong's feelings of jealousy and betrayal, ultimately leading to the tragic events that unfolded on the night of May 11, 2022, when Armstrong fatally shot Wilson in a fit of rage and vengeance.
How did Kaitlin Armstrong kill Anna Mo Wilson?
On the night of May 11, 2022, Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson was fatally shot by Kaitlin Marie Armstrong at a friend's home in Austin, Texas. Armstrong, driven by jealousy triggered by Wilson's romantic involvement with her on-and-off boyfriend, professional cyclist Colin Strickland, committed the crime in a violent act of vengeance.
Earlier that evening, Wilson and Strickland had spent time together, enjoying a swim at Deep Eddy Pool and sharing a meal. After dropping Wilson off at her friend's residence, Strickland departed, later denying any entry into the home. Unaware of the impending danger, Wilson settled in for the night at her friend's place.
Fueled by rage and jealousy, Armstrong tracked Wilson to the apartment using a fitness app, determined to confront her romantic rival. Armed with a firearm, she arrived at the residence and confronted Wilson. In a moment of heated confrontation, Armstrong shot Wilson multiple times, inflicting fatal gunshot wounds.
An autopsy later confirmed that Wilson's death was a homicide, with three gunshot wounds—two in the head and one in the chest. These injuries occurred after Wilson was already lying supine on the floor, indicating a deliberate and ruthless attack.
The brutal nature of the crime, coupled with Armstrong's motive of jealousy and vengeance, painted a chilling picture of the events that unfolded that fateful night.
How did the police investigate Kaitlin Armstrong?
The police investigated Kaitlin Armstrong by examining various pieces of evidence and conducting thorough interviews. Initially, Armstrong became a person of interest after video surveillance footage showed her vehicle arriving at the residence moments before the murder of Anna Wilson. This prompted investigators to delve deeper into her background and movements leading up to the crime.
They analyzed Wilson's phone records and uncovered evidence suggesting that Armstrong was aware of Wilson's romantic relationship with Colin Strickland, Armstrong's on-and-off boyfriend. Armstrong's jealousy and knowledge of the affair became apparent through conversations she had with others, expressing a strong desire to harm Wilson.
Further investigation revealed that Armstrong had purchased firearms and visited shooting ranges, indicating a premeditated intent to commit harm. Police also obtained search warrants for Armstrong's residence, where they recovered crucial evidence linking her to the crime scene. However, she soon fled to Costa Rica.
But Armstrong was ultimately arrested due to a clever tactic devised by US marshals. After fleeing to Costa Rica and going into hiding, Deputy U.S. Marshals Emir Perez and Damien Fernandez devised an unconventional plan. They placed an advertisement seeking a yoga instructor on social media, recognizing that Armstrong, who was also a yoga teacher, might respond.
When was Kaitlin Armstrong convicted?
Kaitlin Armstrong was convicted on November 16, 2023, for the first-degree murder of Anna. The conviction followed a trial that lasted several days, during which prosecutors presented compelling evidence against Armstrong.
The verdict was delivered by the jury after deliberating for a considerable period. The jurors carefully considered the evidence presented by the prosecution, including witness testimonies, forensic evidence, and surveillance footage linking Armstrong to the crime.
Following the conviction, both the prosecution and the defense issued statements. The prosecution expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that justice had been served for Anna Wilson and her family. Meanwhile, the defense indicated that they would explore options for appealing the conviction.
One significant aspect of the conviction was the sentencing. Armstrong was sentenced to 90 years in prison, with eligibility for parole after serving 30 years. This sentence reflected the severity of the crime and aimed to ensure that Armstrong would be held accountable for her actions.
'Dateline NBC' Season 32 airs new episodes every Friday at 8 pm ET on NBC and is available for streaming on Peacock the following day.
