Shivangi Sinha
The loss of a sibling is a deeply significant and life-altering experience, one that leaves an enduring void. When Moriah Wilson passed away, that sense of loss was profoundly felt by her brother, Matt Wilson. In May 2022, while he was in Austin, Texas, finishing college, his life was suddenly upended by the tragedy. In Netflix’s ‘The Truth and Tragedy of Moriah Wilson,’ Matt spoke about his sister with warmth and admiration, reflecting on the values she embodied and the lessons she left behind. He shared that he continues to hold her spirit, her passion close, and has been honoring her memory in a deeply personal way.
Matt Wilson Was in College When His Sister Passed Away
Matthew “Matt” Wilson grew up watching his older sister, Moriah Wilson, excel in everything she pursued. He has shared how deeply she inspired him and how close they always were. To Matt, she was more than just a sibling; she was someone who encouraged him to embrace life fully. He even wondered if her soul somehow knew her time would be short, which made her positive outlook all the more meaningful. He saw her passion firsthand, from skiing to cycling, after an injury shifted her path. Watching her adapt and thrive showed Matt that no obstacle was insurmountable, and it gave him the belief that he, too, could achieve whatever he set his mind to.
In May 2022, Matt had just graduated from Middlebury College when he learned that his sister, Moriah, had been the victim of a homicide. The days that followed were far from what he had anticipated. He could only imagine the grief his parents, Karen and Eric Wilson, were enduring, yet the family remained steadfast. That same month, Matt and his family issued a statement clarifying that Moriah was not in a romantic relationship at the time of her passing and asked the public for understanding and respect during their time of mourning.
Kaitlin Armstrong went to trial on October 30, 2023. Matt was the first witness to be called to the stand in November. The prosecution relied on his testimony to illustrate Moriah’s character and the life she led, detailing her achievements as a cyclist, her childhood, and the kind of person she was. His account played an essential role in conveying the senselessness and brutality of the crime, for which Armstrong was ultimately convicted and sentenced to 90 years in prison. It helped the court understand the full impact of her loss and the profound void left in the lives of those who adored her.
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Matt Wilson is an Integral Member of the Moriah Wilson Foundation Today
Matthew “Matt” Wilson attended Burke Mountain Academy from 2012 to 2016, where he gave over 20 hours per week to training, film analysis, travel, and competition. During this time, he was a three-time member of the USSA Eastern Region U19/U21 championship team and co-captain of the Vermont DIII soccer team, where he earned the VSAC Vermont Honor Scholarship and the Marie York DeVore Northeast Kingdom Endowed Scholarship. From 2017 to 2019, Matt studied at Colby College while continuing to train and compete with the Alpine Ski Team. In 2019, he spent a semester abroad at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, where he trained with the New Zealand National Ski Team and gained exposure to new cultural perspectives and approaches to education, society, and athletics.
He then enrolled at Middlebury College in February 2020 and graduated in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Literatures, concentrating in Creative Writing, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. While at Middlebury, he served on the Alpine Ski Team, volunteered as a writing tutor for The Smart Reach, and led community engagement initiatives through the NCAA Student Athlete Advisory Committee. By October 2020, he was working as an Assistant U14 Alpine Coach at Ski and Snowboard Club Vail. In July and August 2021, he completed a Marketing and Communications internship at Matterlab in Austin, Texas. In May 2022, shortly after graduating, Matt faced the loss of his sister, Moriah Wilson. After taking time to grieve, he channeled his energy into her legacy and founded the Moriah Wilson Foundation in June 2022 with his parents.
He is the Vice-President and leads strategy, partnership development, fundraising, and storytelling to expand youth access. In August 2022, he also served as Race Stage Manager for Enduro Sports Organization, overseeing a team at an international cycling race. From June 2023 to April 2025, Matt coached U16 Men’s Skiers at Burke Mountain Academy, and in April 2025, he became the FIS Men’s Ski Coach. That same year, he launched Matt J Wilson Photography. It is his own LLC, specializing in sports, commercial, and event photography. Additionally, from June 2023 to February 2025, he served as a board member of Kingdom Kids, helping provide children in Vermont with access to outdoor sports and recreational opportunities. Through his career, Matt has combined coaching, leadership, and creative work while honoring his sister’s memory and inspiring youth to pursue their passions and potential.
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