Authorities have charged an 18-year-old Pennsylvania man with homicide in the fatal stabbing of his girlfriend, Karoline Heintz, a student at PennWest California University. The teen, Royce Moser, told investigators that a "demon" instructed him to stab Heintz during an argument in her vehicle on Aug. 20.
Royce Moser's mother, Rachel Moser, 56, faces charges including tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, obstruction of justice, hindering apprehension of a fugitive, and criminal use of a communication device. State police allege she assisted her son in attempting to conceal the crime. Both mother and son are being held without bail in the Washington County jail.
Police body camera footage released Thursday captured the discovery of Heintz's body inside her Jeep. An officer, responding to a welfare check requested by Heintz's father, found her unresponsive in the back of the vehicle with what he described as "blood everywhere." Heintz had failed to return to campus, and an AirTag in her vehicle indicated her location, first at Moser's home and later in a parking lot.
According to court documents, Moser admitted to retrieving a knife from his home after an argument with Heintz. He stated he told her, "wait, I have something for you" before stabbing her. He then moved her body to the rear of the vehicle and drove to a PennWest California University parking lot, with his mother following him.
Investigators located Royce and Rachel Moser at the mother's residence. The affidavit states Rachel Moser instructed her son to bathe and change his clothes, and then she disposed of the knife in a garbage bag outside her home. The weapon was later recovered by authorities.
Royce Moser's attorney declined to comment on the charges. A representative for Rachel Moser could not be reached for comment.
Heintz's family released a statement describing her as a "kind, smart, beautiful girl" and expressed their devastation, asking for privacy and justice for their daughter. A formal arraignment for the Mosers is scheduled for Oct. 13.