Pennsylvania police charged 18-year-old Royce Moser and his mother after college soccer player Karoline Heintz was found dead inside her Jeep near the PennWest California campus.
Moser is charged with homicide in the death of Heintz, an 18-year-old incoming freshman and member of the PennWest California women’s soccer team. His mother, Rachel Moser, 57, faces charges connected to the alleged handling of Heintz’s body and evidence.
The charges are allegations. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Karoline Heintz Found Inside Jeep
Heintz was found in the rear cargo area of her Jeep Cherokee near the California Public Library in California Borough at about 12:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, according to authorities.
Her family contacted police after she failed to return to her campus housing and did not check in as expected. Investigators said relatives used a tracking device to locate her vehicle near the library.
Officers noticed what appeared to be blood around the vehicle before entering it and finding Heintz, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Rocco Gagliardi said during a news conference.
The Washington County Coroner’s Office initially described the death as suspicious. A complete coroner’s report had not been released as of Friday morning, according to CBS News Pittsburgh.
Police Describe Alleged Stabbing
Police said Heintz met Moser outside his father’s home in North Strabane Township on Wednesday, Aug. 19. The couple reportedly discussed the future of their relationship as Heintz prepared to begin college.
According to the criminal complaint, Moser became angry during the conversation and went inside the home to obtain a large kitchen knife.
Investigators allege that Moser returned to the Jeep and stabbed Heintz in the chest. Police said she fell from the vehicle before Moser placed her in its rear cargo area.
Moser allegedly told investigators that he experienced a “demon take over” and heard commands to hurt Heintz. Authorities have not announced a confirmed motive or said whether any mental health condition contributed to the alleged attack.
Mother Accused of Helping After Killing
Police allege that Moser drove Heintz’s Jeep to his mother’s home in Beallsville and told her what had happened.
The criminal complaint reportedly says Rachel Moser instructed her son to bathe, shower and change his clothes. She allegedly washed his clothing, placed the knife inside a garbage bag and attempted to clean the Jeep with disinfectant spray.
Investigators also accuse her of giving her son latex gloves and following the Jeep in a second vehicle as it was taken to California Borough.
Police said the Jeep was abandoned near the library. Moser and his mother allegedly returned together to her Beallsville home, where investigators located them Thursday morning.
WTAE reported that both defendants were taken into custody and appeared before reporters while being transferred by police.
Charges Filed Against Royce and Rachel Moser
Royce Moser is charged with 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.
Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh confirmed that Heintz and Royce Moser were in a relationship. Authorities said Moser was not a PennWest California student.
The case remains under investigation by Pennsylvania State Police. Public docket information can be checked through the Pennsylvania Judiciary Web Portal as the criminal proceedings develop.
Heintz Was Beginning Her College Soccer Career
Heintz was a recent graduate of Peters Township High School in McMurray, Pennsylvania. She was preparing to start her first year at PennWest California and compete in NCAA Division II soccer.
The university’s 2026 women’s soccer roster lists Heintz as a 5-foot-7 freshman defender from McMurray.
PennWest University said it was deeply saddened by the death of its first-year student and extended condolences to her family, friends and others affected by the tragedy.
The university said the incident happened away from campus and that its police department is cooperating with the state police investigation.