Colin Strickland, once a promising name in the gravel cycling community, finds himself at the centre of a deeply tragic narrative following the murder of his friend and fellow cyclist, Moriah Wilson. Strickland’s life took a tumultuous turn as events unfolded between him, his girlfriend Kaitlin Armstrong, and Wilson, ultimately leading to a shocking crime that captured public attention.
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Strickland was building a reputation in the cycling world when he began a complicated relationship with yoga instructor Kaitlin Armstrong in 2019. Together, the pair bought a house during the pandemic and even pursued a business venture in trailer restoration. However, their relationship was fraught with volatility, characterised by frequent breakups and reconciliations. By late 2021, their relationship was on the rocks, and during one of their separations, Strickland briefly connected with Wilson. This friendship, characterised by a shared passion for cycling, quickly turned into a romantic entanglement, albeit short-lived.
On May 11, 2022, Wilson visited Austin for a cycling race, prompting a reunion with Strickland. The pair spent an afternoon catching up, unaware that Armstrong was monitoring Strickland’s whereabouts. After their meeting, Armstrong confronted Strickland, consumed by jealousy and rage, ultimately leading her to Wilson’s residence, where she fatally shot the cyclist. This horrific act followed a pattern of escalating jealousy and distrust, with Armstrong allegedly threatening anyone who dated Strickland.
The investigation into Wilson’s death quickly turned towards Armstrong, who fled the state immediately afterwards. Eluding authorities by escaping to Costa Rica, Armstrong underwent cosmetic surgery in an attempt to change her appearance. However, her evasion of justice was short-lived, as she was apprehended by law enforcement using her identity as a yoga instructor as bait. In June 2022, she was extradited back to Texas, charged with first-degree murder, and later found guilty in November 2023.
Strickland’s journey through this tragedy has been fraught with emotional turmoil. Since the events, he has retreated from the public eye, relinquishing his cycling career and expressing deep remorse for the circumstances that unfolded. In a recent appearance in the Netflix documentary “The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilson,” Strickland reflected on his life since the murder, stating simply, “I regret everything.” His admission underscores the profound impact the incident has had on his psyche, as he grapples with the decisions that led to such devastating consequences.
Moriah Wilson, known affectionately as “Mo,” was a vibrant young athlete with a promising future in professional cycling. Raised in Vermont, she was passionate about outdoor sports from a young age, transitioning from competitive skiing to cycling after experiencing multiple injuries. By the time of her tragic death, she had garnered respect and acclaim within the cycling community, showcasing her determination and skill in various races.
As Strickland has withdrawn from the cycling circuit, his current life is markedly different from the promising trajectory he once followed. He describes spending time alone in his garage workshop, suggesting a desire for solitude as a means of coping with the chaos of the past few years. “Things were spinning out of control,” he explained, indicating a struggle to regain a sense of stability in his life following Wilson’s death.
The painful memories of that fateful day in May, when he lost a friend and faced the consequences of a tumultuous love life, continue to haunt Strickland. His regret extends beyond the immediate tragedy, encompassing a broader sense of loss—not just for Wilson, but for the life he once envisioned as a rising star in cycling before the events spiralled out of control.
In the aftermath of Wilson’s death and Armstrong’s subsequent conviction, the cycling community and the public at large are left to grapple with the senselessness of the crime. Wilson’s legacy, immortalised in the documentary, serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the often-unforeseen consequences of personal relationships.
As Colin Strickland continues to process the events that changed his life forever, the hope remains that all those involved can find healing in time. Wilson’s untimely death resonates not only as a tragedy within the cycling world but as a pertinent reminder of the complex interplay between love, jealousy, and the irreversible choices that can lead to heartbreak.