Go Deeper Than Netflix: Love Triangle, Manhunt, & Plastic Surgery | The Tragedy of Moriah Wilson
YouTube · WG70YzuTGI4
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Moriah Wilson, a 25-year-old professional cyclist, was found murdered with multiple gunshot wounds on May 11, 2022, in Austin, Texas.
- ❖The primary suspect, Caitlyn Armstrong, was in a 'messy, toxic love triangle' with Wilson and Colin Strickland, Wilson's on-again, off-again boyfriend.
- ❖Armstrong tracked Wilson's whereabouts using the Strava cycling app and was captured on surveillance near the crime scene.
- ❖After an initial police interview, Armstrong fled to New York, then to Costa Rica using her sister's passport, and underwent plastic surgery (lip fillers, rhinoplasty, brow lift) to change her appearance.
- ❖A 9mm handgun purchased by Colin Strickland for Armstrong was ballistically linked to Wilson's murder.
- ❖Armstrong was apprehended in Costa Rica after a 43-day international manhunt, using multiple aliases like Allison Paige, Beth Martin, Liz, and Ari Martin.
- ❖During her trial, Armstrong attempted to escape custody from a doctor's appointment, showing premeditation by wearing thermal pants and intensely working out prior.
- ❖Caitlyn Armstrong was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to 90 years in prison, with parole eligibility in 30 years.
- ❖Moriah Wilson's family was awarded $15 million in a wrongful death lawsuit against Armstrong.
Insights
1The Love Triangle's Deadly Escalation
Moriah Wilson's brief romantic involvement with Colin Strickland, who was in an on-again, off-again relationship with Caitlyn Armstrong, created a volatile dynamic. Armstrong's discovery of their past affair and continued communication fueled an extreme rage, culminating in Wilson's murder. Colin's actions, such as hiding Mariah's number and lying about his plans, exacerbated the situation.
Colin and Mariah had a brief relationship in October 2021. Caitlyn learned of this romance in January 2022 and was 'physically shaking with anger,' telling a friend she wanted to kill Mariah. Colin hid Mariah's number under an alias and lied to Caitlyn about seeing Mariah on the night of the murder.
2Caitlyn Armstrong's Elaborate Escape Attempt
After being questioned and released due to a technical error, Caitlyn Armstrong immediately began an elaborate plan to evade capture. She sold her Jeep, flew to New York, then used her sister's passport to fly to Costa Rica, where she sought plastic surgery and adopted multiple aliases to create a new identity.
Armstrong sold her Jeep for $12,000 on May 13, 2022, one day after her initial questioning. She flew from Texas to New York, then used her sister Christy's passport to board a one-way flight to San Jose, Costa Rica, on May 18. In Costa Rica, she underwent lip fillers, rhinoplasty, and a brow lift, and used aliases like Allison Paige, Beth Martin, and Ari Martin.
3Forensic Evidence and Surveillance Confirm Guilt
Despite Armstrong's attempts to cover her tracks, investigators amassed compelling evidence. Surveillance footage placed her vehicle near the crime scene, and ballistic evidence linked the murder weapon to a gun Colin Strickland had purchased for her. Her flight and subsequent actions further solidified her guilt.
A 2012 black Jeep Grand Cherokee, matching Armstrong's vehicle, was captured on security camera near Wilson's friend's house shortly after Colin dropped Wilson off. Ballistic evidence linked the murder weapon to a 9mm handgun purchased by Colin for Caitlyn in January. Armstrong's flight from the country and subsequent plastic surgery were seen as strong indicators of guilt.
4Second Escape Attempt and Trial Outcome
Even while in custody awaiting trial, Armstrong made another desperate attempt to escape during a doctor's appointment, demonstrating her persistent refusal to face justice. This attempt, combined with strong witness testimony and forensic evidence, led to a swift guilty verdict and a lengthy prison sentence.
On October 11, 2023, Armstrong attempted to escape custody during a doctor's appointment, seen on video trying to jump a fence and then running again. She was wearing thermal pants and had been working out intensely. Her best friend testified that Caitlyn had said, 'I would kill her' if Colin ended up with another woman. The jury reached a guilty verdict within two hours, sentencing her to 90 years in prison.
Lessons
- Recognize the dangers of deceptive behavior in relationships, as dishonesty can escalate jealousy and insecurity to extreme levels.
- Understand the capabilities of modern law enforcement, including international cooperation and forensic analysis, in tracing and apprehending fugitives.
- Be aware of the digital footprints left by apps like Strava, which can inadvertently provide personal location data and be exploited in dangerous situations.
Notable Moments
Caitlyn Armstrong's calm demeanor during her initial police interrogation, despite being confronted with video evidence of her vehicle near the crime scene.
Her lack of panic and refusal to explain her vehicle's presence, coupled with her immediate request to leave, was highly suspicious and contrasted with expected behavior.
The revelation that Caitlyn Armstrong tracked Moriah Wilson's movements using the Strava cycling app.
This detail confirmed how Armstrong knew Wilson's temporary address and underscored the premeditated nature of the crime, moving beyond mere rumor.
Caitlyn Armstrong's attempt to escape custody during a doctor's appointment, just before her trial.
This dramatic event, captured on video, demonstrated her continued desperation to avoid justice and revealed her physical preparation (thermal pants, intense workouts) for an escape, reinforcing her guilt in the public eye.
The testimony of Caitlyn Armstrong's best friend, Nicole, who recounted Armstrong saying, 'I would kill her' if Colin ever ended up with another woman.
This direct quote provided a chilling insight into Armstrong's mindset and motive, serving as powerful evidence of her murderous intent.
Quotes
"This weekend was strange for me and I just want to know what's going on. If you just want to be friends, which it seems like that's the case, then that's totally cool, but I'd like to talk about it because honestly, my mind has just been going in circles, and I don't know what to think."
"I don't have any idea that he even saw that girl or even went out with this girl as of recently."
"I would like to leave if I'm free to leave."
"Mo and I communicated about twice a month. And I think that it was skewed in a very misleading way in the affidavit."
"When you shot Mariah in the heart, you shot me in my heart."
"Caitlyn's responsible for her own actions 10,000%. But he did fuel the insecurity and the jealousy because he didn't have the courage to just break up with her like a man."
Q&A
Recent Questions
Related Episodes

Woman Finds Best Friend Murdered After Date Night in Texas
"An elite cyclist's murder in Austin, Texas, unravels a jealous love triangle, leading to an international manhunt and the conviction of her killer."

The YouTuber Who Had Her Husband Murdered
"A young YouTuber with dreams of online fame orchestrated the brutal murder of her husband, Ernie Abara, after staging a home invasion, leading to a complex investigation that exposed her calculated deception."

5 Most Wicked Murder Cases Caught On Bodycam
"Bodycam footage provides an unfiltered, real-time look into five brutal murder investigations, exposing the immediate aftermath of horrific crimes and the initial interactions with suspects and witnesses."

'Good Kid' Becomes Sick Killer
"A seemingly model student who murdered his parents and lived with their bodies for two weeks was apprehended after a multi-state escape attempt, revealing his motive to be a plot to assassinate the US President and commit terrorist attacks."