By Aaron Miller-
In a chilling case of fatal envy, 35-year-old yoga teacher, Kaitlin Armstrong (pctured)has been found guilty of the murder of her love rival, 25-year-old professional cyclist Anna Moriah “Mo” Wilson.
The tragic incident unfolded in May 2022 in Austin, Texas, shedding light on a dark undercurrent of jealousy and obsession.
a yoga teacher, tracked down Wilson using the fitness app Strava, ultimately leading to a fatal confrontation in an Austin apartment. The prosecution revealed that Armstrong shot Wilson twice in the head and once in the heart before fleeing the scene.
The motive behind the brutal act was rooted in Armstrong’s jealousy, exacerbated by Wilson’s previous relationship with Armstrong’s boyfriend, professional cyclist Colin Strickland.
The two women were reportedly involved in a love triangle with Ms Armstrong’s on-and-off boyfriend, as well as Wilson’s fellow cyclist Colin Strickland.
In the aftermath of the May 2022 shooting, Ms Armstrong fled to Costa Rica and was only captured five weeks later.
The courtroom heard that Armstrong and Strickland had been in a relationship for three years, experiencing a brief separation during which Strickland had a short-lived connection with Wilson. Despite reconciling, Armstrong’s jealousy persisted, prompting her to issue warnings to Wilson to “stay away.”
Jurors were informed that Armstrong had confided in two friends about her desire or capability to harm Wilson. Tragically, Wilson, a rising cycling star visiting Texas for a race, became the target of Armstrong’s lethal envy.
The aftermath of the murder was marked by Armstrong’s attempt to escape justice. After selling her Jeep, she fled to Costa Rica using her sister’s passport.
Abroad, Armstrong underwent extensive cosmetic surgery, spending over $6,000 to alter her appearance. However, after 43 days on the run, she was apprehended at a beachside hostel.
During the trial, it was revealed that Armstrong made a second attempt to evade authorities during a medical appointment outside jail, resulting in a separate felony escape charge.
Wilson’s friend Caitlin Cash emotionally testified in court, recounting her discovery of Wilson’s body and her futile attempt to perform CPR. The victim’s mother, Karen Wilson, described her daughter as a forceful presence who lived life to the fullest.
Armstrong, facing up to 99 years in prison, did not testify during the trial. Her defense argued that she was a victim of circumstantial evidence, labeling the case a “nightmare” for their client.
As the jury deliberates on Armstrong’s sentence, the case raises broader questions about the prevalence of such crimes.
Instances of love rivals resorting to violence are, unfortunately, not uncommon.
While statistics on such specific cases vary, the phenomenon is witnessed globally, prompting societies to address the complexities surrounding jealousy, obsession, and the tragic consequences that may follow.