Authorities on Thursday released police bodycam footage capturing the moment officers discovered the body of Karoline Heintz, an 18-year-old freshman at PennWest California University, in the back of her vehicle on Aug. 20. Her boyfriend, Royce Moser, 18, faces a homicide charge in her death, while his mother, Rachel Moser, 56, is accused of helping conceal the crime.
The 37-minute video shows a California, Pennsylvania, police officer approaching Heintz's Jeep in the dark, using a flashlight to peer into the back window, and calling for emergency medical services.
"Control, I need EMS here right now," the officer is heard saying in the footage. "I’ve got an unconscious female in the back of this car right now. Any additional units, any in the available area, please."
When asked if the victim was breathing, the officer responded, "Negative. I’ve got blood everywhere." He subsequently broke the vehicle's windows to gain access.
According to a criminal complaint, Moser told police he became angry with Heintz during a conversation in her car and that a "demon take over" instructed him to stab her. He retrieved a knife from his home, allegedly stabbed Heintz, and then placed her body in the rear hatch of her vehicle. Heintz's father had requested a police search after she failed to return to campus, and an AirTag in her vehicle indicated its location in a parking lot.
Royce Moser then asked his mother to help him move the vehicle to PennWest California University, authorities said. Police later located both Royce and Rachel Moser at Rachel Moser's residence in Beallsville.
The affidavit states that Rachel Moser instructed her son to bathe and change his clothes, and she placed his bloody clothing in a washing machine. She then allegedly disposed of the knife in a garbage bag outside her home. Investigators later recovered the knife after obtaining a search warrant.
Royce and Rachel Moser have been charged with tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, and obstruction of justice. Rachel Moser also faces charges of hindering apprehension of a fugitive and criminal use of a communication device. Both are being held without bail in the Washington County jail. Their next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 13.
Heintz was a freshman on the California University of Pennsylvania women's soccer team.
"This is a parent’s worst nightmare," Heintz's family said in a statement. "It has been devastating for family, friends, and the whole community. Karoline was loved by all. She was a kind, smart, beautiful girl. We want justice for our ‘sweet’ Karoline."
