A Pennsylvania mother was arrested and charged with assisting her son in concealing the body of his girlfriend, who was found deceased earlier this week. Rachel Moser, 48, was taken into custody Thursday and charged with hindering apprehension, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice.
Her son, Royce Moser, 18, is accused of fatally stabbing his girlfriend, 18-year-old Karoline Heintz, on Wednesday night. According to state police, the incident occurred in North Strabane Township, southwest of Pittsburgh. Authorities allege that after the stabbing, Royce Moser placed Heintz’s body in the rear hatch of her Jeep Cherokee and drove to his mother’s home in Beallsville, approximately 25 minutes away.
During her arrest, Rachel Moser told reporters, "I'm sorry... my son took a life," while also denying the charges against her. When questioned about assisting in a cover-up, she stated, "I did not."
Authorities claim that Royce Moser stated his mother offered to help disinfect the car. Police allege that Rachel Moser provided her son with latex gloves and instructed him to "take a bath and then shower." She is also accused of placing the alleged murder weapon in a garbage bag and washing her son's clothing.
"They tried to clean clothes, tried to clean the car up, tried to get rid of any blood stains possible and then proceeded to take that vehicle with the mother tailing all the way down to California Borough," Trooper Rocco Gagliardi said.
Karoline Heintz was an incoming freshman at Pennsylvania Western University and a standout soccer player. The university released a statement expressing deep sadness over her death and extending condolences to her family and friends.
Royce Moser reportedly told police that "demons" ordered him to harm Heintz and that he was also enraged by something she had said. He faces charges including homicide, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice. His mother faces similar charges related to assisting in the alleged disposal of evidence and the body.
Heintz's body was discovered outside the California Borough Library. Police stated that the initial argument between the couple occurred in Heintz's car before Royce Moser allegedly retrieved a knife from his mother's home and stabbed her.