A Western Pennsylvania teen has been arrested and accused of murdering his girlfriend, Karoline Heintz, a PennWest California college soccer player who was found dead in the back of a Jeep on Thursday.
Royce Moser, 18, and his mother, Rachel Moser, 56, are also facing charges for allegedly hiding Heintz’s body and destroying evidence after the stabbing death that the teen later told Washington County, Pa., police “a demon” had instructed him to do.
Police arrested Royce Moser on Friday on charges of homicide, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence, conspiracy to commit abuse of a corpse and obstruction of justice. Rachel Moser is charged with hindering the apprehension of a fugitive, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence, conspiracy to commit abuse of a corpse and obstruction of justice.
Heintz, 18, was a defender on her local soccer team and was set to make her collegiate debut for the Vulcans next week, according to the team’s website.
“California Athletics is devastated by the tragic loss of our student-athlete Karoline Heintz,” the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference said in a statement. “Karoline was a bright and kind young woman with so much ahead of her. She will always remain in our hearts. Our deepest condolences are with her family, friends, teammates, coaches and all who knew and loved her.”
According to a police affidavit, Royce Moser told investigators that Heintz came to his house around 10 p.m. Wednesday, and the two spoke while she was in her car parked in his driveway. Moser said he became angry as they began to argue, but he could not remember why.
“He then had a ‘demon take over’ him and tell him to stab Karoline,” the affidavit stated. “He told her ‘wait I have something for you’ and went inside of the residence to get a knife. He then came back outside and stabbed her in the chest.”
After loading Heintz’s body into her trunk, Moser told police, he called his mother, who told him to drive to her house so she could help him clean the vehicle. The pair drove Heintz’s car to a university parking lot, abandoned it with her body still inside and returned home to wash Royce Moser’s clothes and throw away the murder weapon, the affidavit stated. Police discovered a chef’s knife in the household garbage can.
Police received a call asking them to investigate the Jeep shortly after midnight Thursday and discovered Heintz’s body upon their arrival.
The PSAC said it will hold a moment of silence for Heintz at all its athletic events through Sept. 3. A candlelight vigil in Heintz’s honor is planned for Sunday.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
Women's Soccer, College Sports
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