Rape Kit Not Analyzed in Investigation of Pro Cyclist’s Murder, Detective Says at Texas Yoga Instructor’s Trial

A rape kit was administered during an autopsy on Moriah “Mo” Wilson's body during an investigation into the 2022 death of the pro cyclist, it was revealed in court Wednesday at a trial for the yoga instructor accused of her murder.

A defense attorney for Kaitlin Armstrong questioned the lead detective about whether he did everything he could to find Wilson's killer after she was shot twice in the head and once in the chest on May 11, 2022, according to reporters in the Austin courtroom.

Det. Richard Spitler, who works in the homicide unit for the Austin Police Department, said in court that a rape kit was used but never analyzed to determine whether Wilson had been sexually assaulted or been sexually active on the day she died.

When the defense asked whether anyone will ever know if there was available evidence, Spitler said, "We will not."

However, Spitler testified that there were no visible signs of a sexual assault when she was found dead at a friend's home.

In the moments before Wilson was shot, she was scrolling on her phone and texting a friend, Spitler said, adding that she ate chocolate and was fully clothed when she died.

Wilson was in Austin in early May for a few days before heading to Hico, Texas, where she planned to ride in a 155-mile gravel race.

She and Colin Strickland, a star cyclist she dated briefly in late 2021, spent the afternoon and early evening of May 11, 2002, together — first, they went for a swim at Deep Eddy, a popular pool in Austin, and then had dinner at a burger spot nearby.

Afterward, Strickland drove Wilson on the back of his motorcycle to her friend's home where she was staying and dropped her off about 8:30 p.m.

Two hours later, police responded to a 911 call and discovered Wilson had been shot twice in the head and once in the chest.

Armstrong's defense attorney asked Spitler if Strickland’s DNA had appeared in the rape kit administered during the autopsy, whether would it have changed the direction of the case.

"We could play what-ifs all day," the detective replied. "There was never any evidence that was there and I have no reason to believe that either of them had sexual intercourse that evening."

He added that there was no evidence to suggest that Strickland "would have committed a sexual offense in the time" between when Wilson "unlocked the door and his motorcycle is seen driving down the alley."

Strickland testified earlier at the trial and characterized his relationship with Wilson as friendly and professional but nothing more, despite changing her contact name in his phone and not telling Armstrong about spending time with her that day.

"I felt a right to maintain a friendship with an ex-girlfriend of sorts without constant strife,” he explained in court.

He added that he wanted to avoid the possibility of a "traumatic conflict" by keeping his ongoing involvement with Wilson a secret from his live-in girlfriend.

The day after Wilson was killed, a detective interviewed Strickland for more than six hours and ultimately decided that he was not responsible for Wilson’s murder.

Spitler said Wednesday he fit the profile of a witness and not a suspect.

Still, there was nothing random about the shooting death of Wilson, according to Spitler, who testified that the investigation focused on Armstrong only after collecting alibis from those who were closest to her.

"Everything about this scene seemed like it was very personal — a personal homicide,” Spitler said. “So I wanted to try to track down anybody who had something personal with her, some sort of personal relationship."

Armstrong's trial is expected to continue through Nov. 15.