Royce Moser is an 18-year-old Pennsylvania man who has been charged with homicide in the death of his girlfriend, 18-year-old Karoline Heintz. Heintz was an incoming freshman and soccer player at Pennsylvania Western University’s California campus. Pennsylvania State Police allege Moser stabbed Heintz following a discussion about their relationship and then enlisted his mother, Rachel Moser, to help conceal evidence and abandon Heintz’s vehicle with her body inside.
Royce Moser Murder Allegations
Moser Accused Of Fatally Stabbing Girlfriend Karoline Heintz. Pennsylvania State Police allege Moser and Heintz met outside his father’s North Strabane Township home to discuss the future of their relationship. Investigators say the conversation deteriorated, Moser went inside the residence, obtained a large kitchen knife and stabbed Heintz in the chest. [CBS Pittsburgh]
Police Say Moser Put Heintz’s Body In Rear Of Her Jeep. Authorities allege Heintz fell from the vehicle after she was stabbed. Police say Moser then picked her up, placed her in the rear hatch area of her Jeep Cherokee and drove the vehicle to his mother’s home in Beallsville. [ABC News]
Moser Allegedly Went To His Mother For Help After Killing. Investigators allege Moser drove to the home of his mother, Rachel Moser, after the stabbing and told her what had happened. Police say the two then attempted to clean blood from the Jeep and deal with evidence connected to the killing. [CBS Pittsburgh]
Police: Rachel Moser Gave Son Gloves And Helped Clean Evidence. According to investigators, Rachel Moser provided latex gloves and assisted with attempts to clean the Jeep. Court records also allege she told her son to bathe and shower and helped wash the clothes he had been wearing. Rachel Moser has been charged separately with offenses including hindering apprehension, evidence tampering and abuse of a corpse. [ABC News]
Moser And Mother Accused Of Abandoning Jeep With Heintz’s Body Inside. Police allege Royce Moser drove Heintz’s Jeep to a parking lot near the California Public Library while his mother followed in another vehicle. Heintz’s body remained in the rear of the Jeep when the vehicle was abandoned. Authorities say surveillance footage captured the two vehicles traveling in the area. [CBS Pittsburgh]
Heintz’s Family Used AirTag To Locate Her Vehicle. After Heintz failed to return to her PennWest California dorm and relatives could not reach her, her family checked tracking information associated with her vehicle. An Apple AirTag led them to the parking lot near the California Public Library, where police found blood on the vehicle and discovered Heintz’s body in the rear cargo area. [CBS Pittsburgh]
Police Say Moser Claimed A “Demon” Told Him To Stab Heintz. Court records say Moser admitted killing Heintz during an interview with investigators and claimed that after becoming angry, a “demon” took over and told him to stab her. His mother separately told investigators that her son had said he had “demons” that told him to hurt Heintz. [ABC News]
Investigators Say Knife Used In Killing Was Found In Trash. Moser allegedly told investigators that his mother took the knife used in the stabbing and placed it in a garbage bag outside her home. Police subsequently recovered a knife from a garbage bag matching the location and description Moser provided. [ABC News]
Royce Moser Arrest And Charges
Moser Charged With Homicide And Evidence-Related Crimes. Pennsylvania authorities charged Moser with criminal homicide, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence, conspiracy to commit abuse of a corpse and obstruction of justice. [CBS Pittsburgh]
Moser Was Not A PennWest California Student. Washington County District Attorney Jason Walsh said that although Heintz was preparing to begin her freshman year at PennWest California, Moser did not attend the university. Heintz had recently graduated from Peters Township High School and was preparing for her first season with the PennWest California women’s soccer team. [CBS Pittsburgh]
One of the first political bloggers in the world, Oliver Willis has operated OliverWillis.com since 2000. Contributor at Media Matters for America and The American Independent. Follow on Twitter at @owillis. Full bio.