A 17-year-old boy and his mother have been charged in connection with the death of Karoline Heintz, a college student whose body was discovered in her vehicle. Royce Moser, 18, faces charges including murder, while his mother, Rachel Moser, is charged with hindering apprehension of a fugitive, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
Both mother and son have also been charged with tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, and obstruction of justice.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, Heintz had left her father's home on the night of her death, with plans to visit a Target store before returning to her dorm at PennWest-California University. Her father noted that her phone's location data showed her stopping at her boyfriend's house before resuming movement, with the last transmission pinpointing an area in Washington County, Pennsylvania.
When Heintz did not return, her father contacted the California Borough Police Department. An AirTag in her vehicle indicated it was in a parking lot in California Borough. State Police were alerted shortly after midnight on Thursday to search for the Jeep Cherokee. Upon locating the vehicle, officers observed significant blood splatter inside and outside the car. Heintz's body was found in the rear hatch area.
Investigators allege that Heintz met with Royce Moser outside his father's residence. An argument ensued, and Royce Moser reportedly retrieved a large kitchen knife from the residence and allegedly stabbed Heintz in the chest. Police stated that after she fell from the vehicle, Royce Moser placed her body in the rear hatch of the Jeep and drove to his mother's residence.
Rachel Moser allegedly assisted her son by attempting to clean the Jeep Cherokee and providing him with latex gloves. She then instructed him to follow her to the university, where they left the vehicle with Heintz still inside, near the university's library. The two then allegedly drove back to Rachel Moser's residence, where Royce Moser reportedly cleaned his clothes and showered. Police said Rachel Moser put his clothes in the washing machine.
Royce Moser told investigators that his mother took the knife used in the stabbing, placed it in a garbage bag, and disposed of it in the trash outside her house. Investigators later found a knife in a garbage bag that matched Royce Moser's description.
Surveillance footage reportedly captured Royce Moser driving Heintz's vehicle near the location where it was found. His mother's vehicle was also seen following Heintz's car, according to a criminal complaint.
Royce and Rachel Moser were taken into custody at her residence for a police interview. During the interview, Rachel Moser reportedly told investigators that her son admitted to stabbing Heintz and had asked for her assistance in returning the victim's vehicle to the university. She also stated her son claimed to have "demons" that told him to hurt Heintz, and that he admitted to placing Heintz in the vehicle's rear hatch and needing a ride back.
In his interview, Royce Moser reportedly admitted to killing Heintz, stating that he became angry and a "demon take over" told him to stab her. He also detailed his mother's help in cleaning the car and his subsequent showering, according to court records. He stated his mother put his clothes in the washing machine. He also told police that his mother took the knife and disposed of it in the trash outside her house.