By Elisha Fieldstadt, Tim Stelloh and Hayley Walker -
NBC News
The family of the cyclist who was fatally shot in early May, in what the Texas authorities have described as a love triangle that ended in tragedy, denounced that her death was "nonsense."
"We are absolutely devastated by the loss of our beautiful daughter and sister, Anna Moriah Wilson," the family said in a statement, "no words can express the pain and suffering we are experiencing."
Wilson, 25, had traveled to Texas to race in Hico, southwest of Fort Worth, according to a GoFundMe page set up by his family.
A friend located his body in an Austin home on the night of May 11, police said in a statement.
Anna Moriah Wilson.Courtesy of the family.
"Moriah was a talented, kind and loving young woman," her family said, "her life was taken from her before she had the chance to achieve everything she dreamed of. Our family, and everyone who loved her, will miss her forever." ".
Police initially said he had been shot multiple times inside the house in a killing that "doesn't look like a random act."
Federal authorities are looking for Kaitlin Marie Armstrong for this crime.
According to an affidavit obtained by the NBC News affiliate station in Austin, Armstrong was in a relationship with professional cyclist Colin Strickland for three years, but during a break the man began an affair with Wilson.
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A friend, who did not want to be identified but said she was with Armstrong in January when she found out about the relationship, said the woman "was furious and shaking with rage," according to the arrest warrant.
Based on messages found on Wilson's phone, investigators say Wilson believed she was having a romantic relationship with the man "even though he was currently dating Armstrong."
Wilson's family said they would not comment on the investigation, but added: "We feel it is important to clarify that at the time of her death
it was clearly understood by those closest to her, directly from Moriah, that she was not in a romantic relationship with anyone.
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Sports magazine VeloNews described Wilson as an athlete who had mastered mountain biking, won several races this year and quit her job at a bike company to pursue racing full-time.
Wilson, a native of Vermont, was the favorite to win the May 14 Gravel Locos race in Hico, the magazine reported.
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“Wilson wasn't a household name in international cycling, but he could have been.
He could have been anything he wanted," wrote Michael Sheehan, a reporter for sports outlet FloBikes.
The cycling community paid tribute to Wilson on social media using the
hashtag
#RideLikeMo
.
"She made everyone better, everyone tried a little harder. I feel like we were all watching her star rise from this silly side of our sport to the highest heights. And we were all proud of her," said cyclist Peter Stetina .
Seven-time world champion Rebecca Rusch called Wilson a person full of "light and laughter." "Now what we have to do is take her light, absorb it into ourselves and shine it on others with the same intensity as her.
This beautiful soul was teaching us to be good, and she still is,” she added.
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Wilson's family said the money raised on his GoFundMe page will "fund community organizations that help young people find self-confidence, strength and joy through biking, skiing and other activities they were passionate about." to Moriah."