The cycling world was left in shock when up-and-coming pro cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson, known as "Mo," was tragically killed on May 11, 2022. Wilson, a 25-year-old gravel racer, had been garnering attention and wins in the rapidly growing sport until her untimely death. Just days before a big race that she was favored to win, Wilson was found fatally shot on the bathroom floor by a friend. The accused killer, Kaitlin Marie Armstrong, also had ties to the cycling world as the longtime girlfriend of another pro racer, Colin Strickland. Armstrong, a 35-year-old yoga teacher and real estate agent from Austin, Texas, is now facing up to 99 years in prison if convicted of the murder. However, she has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

As the trial began on October 30, details about the events leading up to Wilson's murder started to emerge. Wilson, who had been staying with a friend in Austin ahead of the race, was last seen with Strickland earlier that day. Strickland, in his statement to the police, claimed that he had picked up Wilson and they had gone for a swim at a local public pool before he dropped her off around 8:30 p.m. However, prosecutors alleged that Armstrong had been tracking their movements through the fitness app Strava, where Wilson logged her workouts. They claimed that Armstrong had been checking Wilson's location and had followed them that night. Wilson was found shot in the head and chest by her friend Caitlin Cash, who testified in the first week of the trial. Cash emotionally recounted finding Wilson covered in blood upon her return to the apartment. Prosecutors also played a recording of the 911 call made by Cash that captured Wilson's screams before the gunshots. They stated that surveillance video footage capturing the moment of the shooting would be presented as evidence.

The trial further revealed that Armstrong had fled to Costa Rica after Wilson's killing. Police had questioned her initially but had let her go before an arrest warrant was issued. Armstrong allegedly sold her Jeep for cash, boarded a plane to New York City, and then flew from Newark, N.J., using her sister's passport. In Costa Rica, she taught yoga and underwent plastic surgery to alter her appearance, including changing her hair color and style. U.S. Marshals eventually tracked her down after a six-week search and brought her back to the U.S. for trial. Three weeks before the trial began, Armstrong had also attempted to escape custody during a doctor's appointment. Although she didn't manage to get far, she now faces an additional charge of escape causing bodily injury, which could result in up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Armstrong, who has pleaded not guilty, is charged with first-degree murder in Wilson's death. Prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty, but she could face up to 99 years in prison if convicted. The trial has also shed light on Armstrong's relationship with Strickland. He testified in court that their relationship had started in 2019 and had been on-and-off since then. Strickland admitted to briefly dating Wilson during one of their breaks but maintained that their relationship was primarily a friendship. Prosecutors argued that Armstrong had been tracking their communications and movements, as well as Wilson's whereabouts, leading up to the murder. They suggested that jealousy may have been a motive for the crime.

The trial continues as more witnesses take the stand and evidence is presented to the jury. The case has garnered international attention due to the shocking nature of Wilson's murder and Armstrong's subsequent flight from the country. As the trial unfolds, the cycling community and the public await the final verdict in this tragic case.