College Soccer Player, 18, Allegedly Stabbed to Death by Boyfriend as His Mother Helped Conceal Her Body

An 18-year-old college soccer player was allegedly stabbed to death by her boyfriend after the pair met to discuss their relationship, before police say the teenager turned to his mother for help concealing the body.

Karoline Jordyn Heintz, a first-year student and member of the women’s soccer team at PennWest University’s California campus, was found dead in the rear hatch of her Jeep Cherokee near the California Public Library in California, Pennsylvania, shortly after midnight on Thursday, August 20.

Her boyfriend, Royce Moser, 18, has been charged with criminal homicide in connection with her death. His mother, Rachel Moser, 56, is also facing multiple charges over allegations that she helped her son conceal evidence and dispose of the vehicle.

Family Raises Alarm After Karoline Fails to Return

Karoline had been expected to return to campus housing after spending time with her family.

When she did not arrive as expected, her family became concerned and contacted police for a welfare check. Her vehicle was subsequently located near the library, where investigators discovered blood inside the Jeep before finding Karoline’s body in the rear cargo area.

Court documents allege that she had suffered multiple stab wounds, including several to the chest.

Investigators believe the killing took place at Royce Moser’s father’s home in North Strabane Township, after which Karoline’s body was transported in her own Jeep to California Borough.

Police said the vehicle was found at around 12:30 a.m. Thursday in a parking area near the California Public Library.

Police Say a Conversation About Their Future Turned Violent

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Rocco Gagliardi described the couple as two young people discussing what would happen to their relationship as they prepared for college.

According to police, Karoline met Moser outside his father’s home on Wednesday, August 19. The conversation eventually became heated.

Gagliardi said Moser went inside the house and retrieved a large kitchen knife before allegedly attacking his girlfriend.

According to court documents, Moser later told investigators that a “demon” had taken over him. Police allege that he stabbed Karoline in the chest before her body fell from the vehicle and he moved her into the rear hatch.

Moser then allegedly drove the Jeep to his mother’s home in Beallsville and asked Rachel Moser for help.

Mother Allegedly Helped Clean Up and Hide Evidence

Investigators allege that Rachel Moser told her son to move the Jeep into the garage so they could clean it.

According to court documents, she provided him with latex gloves and instructed him to follow her vehicle after they left the area.

During the journey, police say Moser admitted to his mother that he had stabbed Karoline with a knife from his home.

Once they returned to Rachel Moser’s residence, authorities allege that she told her son to bathe, shower and change his clothes. Police also say she washed his clothing and placed the suspected knife into a garbage bag.

A subsequent search of the home uncovered a chef’s knife inside a garbage bag, according to court documents. Investigators also allege that the mother and son were involved in efforts to clean the vehicle and conceal evidence before it was abandoned near the university.

Authorities arrested both Royce and Rachel Moser on Thursday morning.

Charges Against the Mother and Son

Royce Moser is facing a criminal homicide charge, along with two counts of tampering with evidence, two counts of abuse of a corpse and obstruction.

Rachel Moser is charged with tampering with evidence, obstruction, hindering the apprehension of a fugitive and abuse of a corpse.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Rachel Moser told reporters she was sorry “that my son took a life.”

Karoline Was Preparing to Begin College

Karoline had recently graduated from Peters Township High School and was preparing to begin her college career at PennWest California.

She was a member of the California Vulcans women’s soccer team and had been on campus practicing with her teammates ahead of the start of the semester.

PennWest University said it was “deeply saddened” by Karoline’s death and extended its condolences to her family, friends and everyone affected by the tragedy.

The university confirmed that the incident occurred off campus and said PennWest University Police were cooperating fully with the Pennsylvania State Police investigation.

Trooper Gagliardi described the loss as especially devastating because Karoline was only 18 and was preparing to begin the next stage of her life.

“She was ready to explore life, ready to start college,” he said, emphasizing that she would no longer have the opportunity to do so.

Karoline’s death has left her family, teammates and university community mourning a young woman whose college journey had only just begun.