Promising collegiate soccer player Karoline Heintz was allegedly stabbed to death and stuffed into the trunk of a Jeep by her boyfriend – whose mother has been charged with helping cover up the act.
Royce Moser was charged with criminal homicide, two counts of tampering with evidence, two counts of abuse of a corpse and obstruction on Thursday, August 20.
Heintz, an 18-year-old incoming freshman at Pennsylvania Western University, met up with Moser outside his father’s home in North Strabane Township, Pennsylvania, on the evening of Wednesday, August 19, according to police.
“They’re a younger couple talking about how relationships can continue maybe in a college setting,” Pennsylvania State Trooper Rocco Gagliardi said at a news conference on Thursday. “Somewhere that conversation probably goes a little bit south. Toward the end of that conversation between boyfriend and girlfriend, he goes inside and grabs a large knife from the kitchen.”
After returning to Heintz’s vehicle, Moser, also 18, allegedly stabbed her to death in the chest. Moser then allegedly stuffed his girlfriend’s body in the back hatch of her Jeep and drove to his mother’s home in nearby Beallsville for help.
“They tried to clean clothes, tried to clean the car up, tried to get rid of any bloodstains possible and then proceeded to take that vehicle with the mother tailing all the way down to California Borough,” Gagliardi said.
When Heintz failed to check in with her family on Wednesday evening, they requested a wellness check. Her phone location placed her at a library in California, Pennsylvania, a short drive from the home of Royce’s mother, Rachel Moser, and near Pennsylvania Western University.
Authorities descended on the library, where they found Heintz’s dead body in the Jeep.
Rachel was also arrested on Thursday and charged with hindering the apprehension of a fugitive, tampering with evidence and related charges.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by CBS News, Royce said he had “a demon take over” before killing Heintz.
Rachel told reporters she “did not” help her son cover up the murder, but said she was “sorry.”
When pressed to explain why she was sympathetic, she said, “That my son took a life.”
At the time of publication, Royce and Rachel have not entered pleas and do not have counsel.
Pennsylvania Western University (also known as PennWest University) issued a statement about Heintz on Thursday.
“PennWest University is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Karoline Heintz, who was a first-year student at the California campus,” the school said. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends and all those affected by this tragedy.”
The PennWest women’s soccer team opens their season on August 29.
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