Karoline Heintz, an 18-year-old freshman at Pennsylvania Western University's California campus who had just graduated from Peters Township High School and was preparing to begin her first collegiate soccer season, was found stabbed to death in the back hatch of her gray Jeep Cherokee early Thursday morning near the California Borough Public Library in Washington County.
Her family had tracked her car using an Apple AirTag after she failed to return to her dorm.
Her boyfriend, 18-year-old Royce Moser of Beallsville, is charged with homicide, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse and obstruction.
His mother, Rachel Moser, 56, is charged with hindering apprehension, tampering, obstruction and abuse of a corpse. Police say Royce Moser stabbed Heintz during a conversation about the future of their relationship, then placed her body in the back of her vehicle and drove to his mother's home seeking help.
Rachel Moser allegedly told him to shower and change clothes, placed the knife in a garbage bag and washed his clothing before driving with him to dump the car near the library.
Royce Moser told investigators a demon had told him to do it. Both are in custody. A preliminary hearing is set for August 31.
"Eighteen-year-old girl, young, soccer star, ready to explore life, ready to start college, now can no longer get to do that," State Police Trooper Rocco Gagliardi said.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available 24 hours a day through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.