Karoline Heintz of McMurray was found dead inside a vehicle near the California Public Library along Wood Street around 12:30 a.m. local time Thursday, according to a release from the Washington County Coroner's Office.
Royce Moser, who Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh confirmed was in a relationship with Heintz, was charged with homicide. His mother, Rachel Moser, was charged with hindering apprehension, tampering and obstruction. Both mother and son, who are from Beallsville, were taken into custody.
Walsh called Heintz's death "the result of a domestic situation." In an update on Thursday night, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Rocco Gagliardi said the two met up on Wednesday to discuss the future of their relationship, leading to Royce Moser fatally stabbing the 18-year-old. He then allegedly recruited his mother to help move the body and clean up.
"We're talking about an 18-year-old girl that was ready to start life, and now she no longer gets to pursue her dreams, which is really unfortunate," Gagliard said.
The coroner's office said that Heintz was with family earlier in the day on Wednesday and was to return to campus housing. Family members tracked the location of her vehicle and contacted 911 after she failed to check in at an agreed-upon time.
Gagliardi said when officers saw "some indicators from the vehicle which indicates blood" on the Jeep Cherokee, they opened the vehicle and found Heintz in the back hatch.
She was stabbed in the chest area after Moser said he heard "demons" telling him to hurt his girlfriend, according to the criminal complaint.
PennWest "deeply saddened" by "tragic death" A spokesperson for the university confirmed to KDKA that Heintz was a first-year student at the California, Pennsylvania campus of Pennsylvania Western University and was a member of the university soccer team.
"PennWest University is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Karoline Heintz, who was a first-year student at the California campus," a statement from the university read. "Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, and all those affected by this tragedy."
A university spokesperson said that while the incident occurred off campus, PennWest University police are "cooperating with the investigation."
A woman whose daughter played soccer with Heintz for years described her as "the sweetest girl" who was always positive and made the other girls feel like they belonged.
Heintz was a recent graduate from Peters Township High School, according to her bio on the soccer team's roster. A spokesperson from the school district said the community was "deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of a member of the PTHS Class of 2026." Additional counselors and social workers will be made available to high school students.
You can contact the national domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or click here for more information.
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