Horror at Pennsylvania university as soccer star Karoline Heintz is 'stabbed to death by boyfriend... who then got his mom to help dump her body'

By DANIEL MATTHEWS, US SENIOR SPORTS WRITER Published: 14:54, 21 August 2026 | Updated: 14:55, 21 August 2026 A college soccer star was allegedly stabbed to death by her boyfriend, who claims 'demons' ordered him to hurt her before he disposed of her body with the help of his mother. Shortly after midnight on Thursday near the campus of Pennsylvania Western University, Karoline Heintz - an 18-year-old incoming freshman - was found dead in the back of her blood-stained Jeep Cherokee. According to police, she had met up with her boyfriend, 18-year-old Royce Moser, after being with family earlier on Wednesday. It is said she visited Moser in North Strabane Township, southwest of Pittsburgh. There, police claim, they had a discussion in her car, only for the conversation to go 'south' before Moser armed himself with a knife. 'They're a younger couple talking about how relationships can continue maybe in a college setting. Somewhere that conversation probably goes a little bit south,' trooper Rocco Gagliardi said. 'Towards the end of that conversation between boyfriend and girlfriend, he goes inside and grabs a large knife from the kitchen, and proceeds to stab her in the chest area.'  A college soccer star was allegedly stabbed to death by her boyfriend, who claims 'demons' ordered him to hurt her Karoline Heintz was slated to play Division II soccer at PennWest University before her death Royce Moser is accused of stabbing Heintz and then leaving her body in her Jeep Cherokee After stabbing Heintz, Moser is accused of putting her body in the back hatch of the Jeep and driving to his mother's house, around 25 minutes away in Beallsville, Pennsylvania.  WTAE reports that in an interview with police, Moser claimed his mom offered to help disinfect the car.  It is also alleged that she gave him latex gloves and told him to 'take a bath and then shower.' According to the complaint, Rachel Moser put the murder weapon in a garbage bag and her son's clothes in the washing machine. 'They tried to clean clothes, tried to clean the car up, tried to get rid of any blood stains possible and then proceeded to take that vehicle with the mother tailing all the way down to California Borough,' Gagliardi added. Police found her body outside the California Borough Library. Both Moser and his mother, Rachel, were arrested on Thursday morning and, according to CBS News Pittsburgh, the teenager claimed a 'demon took over' and told him to stab his girlfriend. WTAE reports that Moser also claimed to have been enraged by something his girlfriend had said. He has been charged with homicide, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, conspiracy to commit tampering of evidence, conspiracy to commit abuse of a corpse and obstruction of justice. His mother, meanwhile, faces charges of hindering the apprehension of a fugitive, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, conspiracy to commit tampering of evidence, conspiracy to commit abuse of a corpse and obstruction. Rachel Moser faces charges including hindering the apprehension of a fugitive and tampering with evidence  'They tried to clean clothes, tried to clean the car up, tried to get rid of any blood stains possible,' police said Footage from WTAE showed Moser refusing to answer questions as he was led, handcuffed, to a cop car. In another clip, his mother claimed she 'did not' help her son cover up a murder. Rachel Moser covered her face as she walked to the cop car. 'I'm sorry,' she said. 'That my son took a life.'  Heintz was slated to play Division II soccer at PennWest University and, in a statement, the school said it 'is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Karoline Heintz, who was a first-year student at the California campus.  'Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, and all those affected by this tragedy.'