Arrest warrant issued for woman in connection with gravel racer’s murder

AUSTIN (KXAN) — An arrest warrant was issued for a 34-year-old girl in reference to the demise of knowledgeable bicyclist who was visiting Austin earlier than a weekend race.

Anna Moriah Wilson, 25, who glided by “Mo,” was discovered bleeding and unconscious by her buddy after returning to an east Austin house Could 11. Wilson was pronounced useless on the scene, police stated.

In line with an arrest affidavit, Kaitlin Marie Armstrong is accused of first-degree homicide. The Austin Police Division issued a search warrant earlier this week in reference to Wilson’s demise for a south Austin house owned by a girl with the identical title.

Now, the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Activity Drive is becoming a member of the seek for Armstrong. In line with a press launch from the U.S. Marshals, the duty pressure is “conducting a fugitive investigation and pursuing leads” on Armstrong’s whereabouts.

In line with the search warrant, Wilson was in Austin forward of a race close to Dallas. Bike racing outlet VeloNews reported Wilson was anticipated to compete within the Gravel Locos race in Hico, which is about an hour and 20 minutes southwest of Fort Price.

Wilson’s household has created a GoFundMe the place folks can donate in lieu of flowers.

“In her reminiscence, we’re elevating cash to assist fund neighborhood organizations that assist youth discover self-confidence, energy, and pleasure by means of biking, snowboarding, and different actions that Moriah was enthusiastic about,” the GoFundMe stated.

Anybody with info on Armstrong’s location is requested to contact the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Heart at 1-800-336-0102 or submit a tip utilizing the USMS Ideas app. You can even submit a tip to Capital Space Crime Stoppers at 1-800-893-8477.

Court docket data give particulars about investigation

The arrest warrant stated Wilson went swimming with a buddy — one other skilled bike owner named Colin Strickland, final Wednesday, Could 11.

The arrest affidavit additional defined that Strickland advised police he had been in a relationship with Armstrong for about three years. Throughout a break of their relationship, he stated he met and started courting Wilson.

Police say Strickland and Armstrong have been residing collectively, and Strickland lied to Armstrong about his whereabouts on Wednesday, telling her he went to drop flowers off for somebody, and that his telephone had died.

In line with the affidavit, an nameless buddy reported that they have been with Armstrong in January when Armstrong realized Strickland was allegedly having a romantic relationship with Wilson. Police say the buddy remembered Armstrong “grew to become livid and was shaking in anger,” and that “Armstrong was so offended Armstrong needed to kill Wilson.”

Investigators say based mostly on their search of Wilson’s telephone, textual content messages indicated that Wilson thought she “was nonetheless in a romantic relationship with Strickland though he was at present courting Armstrong.”

In line with the affidavit, Strickland additionally advised police he’s needed to change Wilson’s title in his telephone “so Armstrong doesn’t know who he’s talking to, as they proceed their relationship,” in addition to delete textual content messages from Wilson “to forestall Armstrong from discovering them.”

Paperwork point out Strickland dropped Wilson again off that night, on the house the place she was staying with a buddy, driving off at 8:35 p.m.

In line with the arrest affidavit, an digital lock indicated that Wilson entered the house at 8:36 p.m., and a neighbor’s safety digital camera footage reveals Armstrong’s automotive pulls up on the house one minute later.

Investigators stated Strickland additionally confirmed the automotive seen within the safety footage belonged to Armstrong.

Detectives wrote within the affidavit, “when Armstrong was confronted with video proof of her automobile, she had no rationalization as to why it was within the space and didn’t make any denials surrounding the statements offered to her.”

Detectives additionally analyzed shell casings discovered on the scene towards a gun belonging to Armstrong, the affidavit stated. “The potential that the identical firearm was concerned is important,” detectives wrote within the affidavit.

In line with the arrest affidavit, “Armstrong has deleted her social media accounts and has not been seen or heard from since final Friday, Could 13.”

Biking neighborhood reacts

KXAN spoke to members of the biking neighborhood who knew Wilson. Zachary Rynew of Gravel Bike California says she was one of many kindest and most gracious folks he has met. He stated though her stardom was ascending within the biking world, she was nonetheless extraordinarily humble.

“Simply tremendous good and tremendous candy. I don’t assume anybody would have something unhealthy to say about her,” Rynew stated. “She was simply dominating biking in a manner no one sometimes does. She gained the most important race of the 12 months thus far up to now by nearly a half hour.”

David Figueroa of Rapha Austin Pop Up says the native biking neighborhood is mourning her demise.

“Mo was a distinguished member of the American biking neighborhood and her demise is an undisputed tragedy. We’re struggling to return to grips together with her mindless demise, and we’re sending our ideas to Mo’s household and buddies,” Figueroa stated.