US college soccer star allegedly stabbed to death by boyfriend whose mum then ‘helped him dispose of body’
A US college soccer star was allegedly stabbed to death with a large kitchen knife by her boyfriend before his mum then helped to dispose of the body.
Police announced they arrested Royce Moser in connection with the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Karoline Heintz, who was his girlfriend.
Heintz's remains were found on Thursday (20 August) after the budding soccer player at PennWest California failed to return to campus, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) said.
Her family had then tracked her location via an AirTag and suspected she was near a public library, according to CBS News.
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Police said that her body was found in her car that had been left near the library with 'noticeable blood splatter' on the outside of the vehicle.
It is alleged that after a confrontation between the pair outside his dad's house, Moser grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed Heintz before stashing her body in the car and driving to his mum's house, who then helped him clean the vehicle.
Investigators learned that the pair had met at the house in North Strabane before Royce, also 18, 'reportedly became angry.'
Heintz, who was an incoming freshman on the university’s women’s soccer team, had met with Royce after she attended a family party earlier in the evening, according to Pennsylvania State Trooper Rocco Gagliardi.
“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,” Gagliardi explained. “Towards the end of that conversation between boyfriend and girlfriend, he goes inside and grabs a large knife from the kitchen.”
As per the New York Post, Gagliardi continued: “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."
PSP said that Royce Moser was arrested and later charged with multiple offences, including 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.
His mum, Rachel Moser was suspected to have then helped her son dispose of Heintz's body following the stabbing.
Police said in a press release that she had been charged with hindering apprehension of a fugitive, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence, conspiracy to commit abuse of a corpse, and obstruction of justice.
Pennsylvania Western University – California later issued a statement which read: “PennWest University is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Karoline Heintz. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, and all those affected by this tragedy.”
Police issue statement on incident
Pennsylvania State Police issued a statement following the incident, which read: "Just after midnight on August 20, 2026, the California Police Department was notified to check the area for a Jeep Cherokee after Karoline Heintz failed to return to California University," a statement from the force read.
"Local officers located the vehicle near the California Library, with noticeable blood spatter inside and outside the vehicle. Upon checking the vehicle, officers found the body of Karoline Heintz in the rear hatch area.
"The investigation revealed that Karoline Heintz met with her boyfriend, Royce Moser, outside his father's residence in North Strabane to talk.
"During the discussion, Royce Moser reportedly became angry and entered the residence. Moser then retrieved a large kitchen knife and stabbed Heintz in the chest.
"After she fell from the vehicle, Royce Moser placed her in the rear hatch area of the Jeep and drove to the residence of his mother, Rachel Moser, in Beallsville.
"Once at the residence, Rachel Moser assisted by attempting to clean the Jeep Cherokee with cleaning sprays. She then provided Royce Moser with latex gloves and instructed him to follow her to the university.
"They then left the Jeep Cherokee near the California’s Library with Karoline Heintz still inside. Rachel Moser then drove Royce Moser back to her residence, where he cleaned his clothes and showered.
"This investigation remains ongoing in conjunction with the Washington County District Attorney's Office."
James Holt