College Soccer Star Murdered by Boyfriend Who Told Mom She had ‘Demons’

An 18-year-old college soccer player had her life brutally cut short just as she was beginning her freshman year — and police say her boyfriend killed her before turning to his own mother for help covering up the crime.

Karoline Heintz, a freshman soccer player at PennWest California in Pennsylvania, was found dead inside the back of her Jeep Cherokee early Thursday morning.

Her boyfriend, 18-year-old Royce Moser, has now been charged with homicide.

Even more disturbing, authorities say Moser’s mother, Rachel Moser, allegedly helped her son clean up evidence, dispose of the suspected murder weapon and abandon Heintz’s vehicle with her body still inside.

Police say the horrifying chain of events began Wednesday when Heintz met Royce outside his father’s home in North Strabane Township.

Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Rocco Gagliardi said the young couple had planned to discuss the future of their relationship.

But the conversation apparently took a dark turn.

According to investigators, Moser became angry over something Heintz said while the two were sitting in her Jeep.

Police say Moser then told her, “Wait, I have something for you,” before walking inside the house.

He allegedly returned with a large kitchen knife.

Authorities say Moser stabbed Heintz in the chest area, causing her to fall from the vehicle.

Instead of calling for help, investigators allege Moser picked up his wounded girlfriend and placed her body in the rear hatch of the Jeep.

He then allegedly drove Heintz’s vehicle to his mother’s home in Beallsville, where prosecutors say the mother and son began discussing what to do next.

“They try to clean clothes, they try to clean the car up, they try to get rid of any bloodstains,” Gagliardi told reporters.

According to the criminal complaint, Rachel Moser allegedly instructed her son to take a bath and then shower before changing his clothes.

She is also accused of placing the knife into a garbage bag, washing her son’s clothing and attempting to clean Heintz’s Jeep with disinfectant spray.

Police say she also gave her son latex gloves.

Investigators allege Royce then drove the Jeep — with Heintz still inside — to a parking lot near the California Public Library while his mother followed in another vehicle.

The Jeep was allegedly abandoned there before the two returned together to Rachel Moser’s home.

Meanwhile, Heintz’s devastated family had already begun searching for her.

Heintz had spent time with relatives earlier Wednesday and was supposed to return to her dorm at PennWest California.

When she never arrived and stopped responding to calls, her family became alarmed.

According to police, relatives used an Apple AirTag to track her Jeep to the area near the library and contacted authorities shortly after midnight.

Officers arrived around 12:30 a.m. and noticed what appeared to be blood around the vehicle.

“They check the vehicle to gain entry and they observe Karoline in the back hatch of that Cherokee,” Gagliardi said.

Investigators immediately realized they were dealing with a suspected homicide.

During questioning, Royce allegedly told police he became angry during his conversation with Heintz but could not remember exactly what she had said.

He then made a bizarre claim.

According to the criminal complaint, Moser told investigators that a “demon” had taken over and told him to stab his girlfriend.

Rachel Moser allegedly gave police a similar account, saying her son told her that “demons” were telling him to hurt Heintz.

Royce Moser has been charged with homicide, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, obstruction of justice and conspiracy charges.

His mother faces charges including hindering apprehension, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, obstruction and conspiracy.

Heintz had recently graduated from Peters Township High School and was preparing to begin a new chapter of her life as a freshman and soccer player at PennWest California.

“Eighteen-year-old girl, young, soccer star, ready to explore life, ready to start college now can no longer get to do that,” Gagliardi said.

He described Heintz’s relatives as a “great family” who were forced to receive devastating news no parent should ever have to hear.

PennWest California called Heintz’s death “tragic.”

Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate, and a complete coroner’s report has not yet been released.