What Happened to Colin Arturo Strickland?

Colin Arturo Strickland, born in 1986 in Johnson City, Texas, rose to prominence in the cycling world through an unconventional path, starting in his twenties. He initially gained recognition for his prowess in fixed-gear criteriums, notably winning multiple Red Hook Crit series events. By 2019, he had become a dominant force in gravel racing, securing victories at prestigious events like Gravel Worlds (2017, 2018) and the Unbound Gravel 200, even declining a WorldTour contract offer to continue his passion for off-road racing.

Strickland's life took a tragic turn in May 2022 with the murder of fellow cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson in Austin, Texas. Wilson was found fatally shot hours after she had spent the evening with Strickland, with whom she had a brief romantic relationship in 2021 during a period when Strickland and his on-again, off-again girlfriend, Kaitlin Armstrong, were separated. Strickland had met Wilson at a gravel race in Idaho in 2021 and they maintained contact. On the day of Wilson's murder, Strickland had taken her swimming and to dinner, lying to Armstrong about his whereabouts.

During the subsequent investigation, surveillance footage placed Armstrong's black SUV near the scene of the murder. Ballistics evidence linked the murder weapon to a firearm Strickland had purchased for Armstrong. Strickland cooperated fully with authorities, providing testimony and information, and was officially ruled out as a suspect in Wilson's death. He testified at Armstrong's trial, detailing his relationships with both women. In November 2023, Kaitlin Armstrong was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 90 years in prison for Wilson's killing, which prosecutors argued was motivated by jealousy.

The consequences for Strickland's professional career were immediate and severe. He was dropped by numerous sponsors, including Specialized, ENVE Composites, and Rapha, and subsequently announced his complete withdrawal from competitive cycling in 2022. He publicly expressed deep regret and the immense emotional toll the events had taken, stating that his world had been 'on fire' and he had 'no interest in cycling' after the tragedy.

As of August 2026, Colin Strickland has largely stepped away from the public eye and the cycling community. He has relocated to central Texas and embarked on a new career path, focusing on the restoration of vintage automobiles and Spartan trailers. He maintains a low profile, with few of his former cycling peers remaining in contact. His story, including his connection to the Moriah Wilson case, was revisited in the Netflix documentary, 'The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilson,' released in April 2026. In July 2024, Wilson's family filed a civil lawsuit against Armstrong's relatives and Strickland, alleging fraudulent transfer of assets.