Who Was Karoline Heintz? Pennsylvania College Soccer Star Stabbed to Death by Boyfriend Who Then Took Mom’s Help to Dispose of Her Body

A Pennsylvania college soccer player was stabbed to death by her boyfriend, who told police that “demons” had instructed him to attack her, before turning to his mother for help t0 dispose of her body, authorities said. Karoline Heintz was found dead in the rear of her Jeep Cherokee around 12:30 a.m. Thursday, near the Pennsylvania Western University campus in California, Pennsylvania.

Heintz, who was gearing up to join the university’s women’s soccer team as a freshman, met with her boyfriend, Royce Mosher, after attending a family gathering earlier that evening, without any knowledge that something dangerous was waiting to happen with her, Pennsylvania State Trooper Rocco Gagliardi told reporters.

Mercilessly Killed

The couple met at Mosher’s father’s home in North Strabane Township, where they sat inside Heintz’s car and talked about their relationship before the conversation took a “little bit south.” “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 said.

“Towards the end of that conversation between boyfriend and girlfriend, he goes inside and grabs a large knife from the kitchen.”

Mosher allegedly told Heintz that he had something for her, allowing him to go inside and retrieve the weapon.

He then returned to the vehicle and allegedly stabbed Heintz in the chest, causing her to fall from the car.

Mosher is accused of putting her body in the Jeep’s rear hatch before driving to his mother’s home in Beallsville, Pennsylvania, to ask for help.

“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 said.

Heintz’s family called police and requested a wellness check after she failed to return to her dorm or check in with them as expected. Her phone was traced to an area near the California Borough Library, where officers discovered her body inside the abandoned Jeep, which had blood stains, Gagliardi said.

Demons Talking to Killer

Mosher and his mother, Rachel Mosher, were arrested on Thursday morning. Mosher allegedly told his mother that a “demon take over” had caused him to stab Heintz, according to CBS News Pittsburgh.

Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the killing and have not said whether Mosher’s mental health history played a role in the alleged attack.

“It is more of an unfortunate event, 18-year-old girl, young soccer star ready to explore life, ready to start college, now can no longer get to do that,” Gagliardi said.

Mosher faces charges of criminal homicide, two counts of tampering with evidence, two counts of abuse of a corpse and obstruction.

He showed little emotion as police escorted him from the station Thursday evening, with his hands cuffed and dressed in a white jail jumpsuit.

Mosher’s 57-year-old mother was charged with tampering, obstruction, hindering the apprehension of a fugitive and abuse of a corpse. She kept her head down and covered her face as reporters surrounded her while she was being escorted to a police vehicle.

Rachel Mosher insisted she “did not” do it before apologizing to Heintz’s family, according to footage from WTAE. “I’m sorry,” Rachel Mosher said as she got into the car. “That my son took a life.”

Heintz graduated from Peters Township High School in June. She was preparing to begin college at PennWest University, where she had committed to play Division II soccer. The team was scheduled to play its first game on Aug. 29.