Karoline Heintz, an 18-year-old soccer player at Pennsylvania Wester University – California , was found dead Thursday in a vehicle near the university campus in Washington County.
The bodies were eventually found in a car on Wood Street around 12:30am EDT Saturday. The family of Karoline Heintz, who live in nearby McMurray, called the police after the 18-year-old did not check in despite being slated to return from the Royces’ place later on Wednesday evening.
DA Jason Walsh described the incident as a “domestic situation,” without further clarification on what exactly led to the altercation between them. Royce Moser’s mother, Rachel, allegedly came to the scene after the death and helped her son to dispose of the body and clean up the crime scene, according to the police. The criminal complaint states that Royce Moser said that he stabbed Heintz after hearing “demons” telling him to hurt his girlfriend.
Heintz was found stabbed in the chest. Royce faces homicide charges while Rachel faces hindering apprehension, tampering with evidence and obstruction charges. They were also able to track the location of her vehicle.
Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Rocco Gagliardi told the media that Royce Moser and Karoline Heintz met up on Wednesday to discuss the future of their relationship, but that escalated into an altercation during which Royce fatally stabbed Heintz.
“PennWest University is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Karoline Heintz, who was a first-year student at the California campus,” the statement read. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, and all those affected by this tragedy.”
