Teen, mother charged in killing of his girlfriend
Royce and Rachel Moser are facing multiple charges including abuse of a corpse.
A teen and his mother are facing multiple charges in the killing of Karoline Heintz, a college student who was found dead in her car on Thursday.
Royce Moser, 18, is facing charges including murder, while his mother, Rachel Moser, is facing charges including hindering apprehension of a fugitive, according to Pennsylvania State Police.
They have both been charged with tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse and obstruction of justice, according to state police and court documents.
Jerad Heintz, the victim's father, told investigators she had left his home the night of her killing with the possibility of going to Target before returning to PennWest-California University to her dorm, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
When Jerad Heintz went to check her location, he noticed she had stopped at her boyfriend's house. About 30 minutes later, she began moving and the last transmission of her phone location data was in the area of 2501 National Pike, according to court documents.
After he was unable to get ahold of her, the California Borough Police Department was contacted because an AirTag in her vehicle showed she was in a parking lot in California Borough, according to court documents.
Just after midnight on Thursday, State Police were told to check the area for a Jeep Cherokee after Heintz did not return to California University. When officers located the vehicle, they found "noticeable blood splatter inside and outside the vehicle," state police said.
Heintz's body was found in the rear hatch area, police said.
Investigators alleged Karoline Heintz met with her boyfriend outside his father's residence to talk when he reportedly got angry and entered the residence. He then retrieved a large kitchen knife and allegedly stabbed Karoline Heintz in the chest, according to state police.
After she fell from the vehicle, Royce Moser allegedly put her in the rear hatch area of the Jeep and drove to his mother's residence, police said.
Rachel Moser then allegedly assisted him by attempting to clean the Jeep Cherokee and provided him with latex gloves and told him to follow her to the university, police said.
They then left the vehicle near California's library with Heintz still inside. Rachel and Royce Moser then allegedly drove back to her residence, where he cleaned his clothes and showered, police said.
Surveillance footage captured Royce Moser driving the victim's vehicle near where the victim was found. His mother's vehicle was also seen following the victim's car, according to a criminal complaint.
Royce and Rachel Moser were found at her residence and were taken in for a police interview, according to court documents.
Rachel Moser told investigators her son admitted to stabbing the victim and that he had asked for her help returning her vehicle to the university, according to court documents.
Rachel Moser told police her son had told her he had "'demons' and they told him to hurt the victim," according to court records. Rachel Moser also told police her son admitted to putting Heintz in the back hatch of the vehicle and that he needed a ride back, according to court records.
In his interview with police, Royce Moser admitted to killing Heintz after he got angry and had a "demon take over" and told him to stab her, according to court records.
Royce Moser also told police how his mother helped him to clean the car and told him to take a bath, then shower after they returned, according to court records. She allegedly put his clothes in the washing machine, he told investigators.
Royce Moser told police his mother took the knife that was used to stab the victim and put it in a garbage bag to be put in the trash outside her house, according to court records.
The knife was found by investigators in a garbage bag matching the description Royce Moser gave, according to court records.
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