The heartbroken parents of Karoline Heintz, a Pennsylvania college soccer standout found stabbed to death in a case authorities say involves her boyfriend, said they are enduring a “parent’s worst nightmare.”
“It has been devastating for family, friends, and the whole community,” Heintz’s family said in a statement released Friday through the Pennsylvania State Police, according to WTAE.
“Karoline was loved by all. She was a kind, smart, beautiful girl. We want justice for our ‘sweet’ Karoline.”
Heintz, an 18-year-old incoming freshman at PennWest California University, was allegedly killed Wednesday night during a conversation about the future with her boyfriend, Royce Moser.
Authorities said the couple had met outside the North Strabane Township home of Moser’s father, where their discussion about what lay ahead for them went a “little bit south.”
Moser, also 18, allegedly told Heintz he had something for her, then went inside the home and returned with a large kitchen knife that he used to stab her in the chest, officials said.
Heintz was sitting inside her Jeep Cherokee when she was attacked, investigators said. She fell from the vehicle before Moser allegedly placed her body in the rear hatch and drove to his mother’s home, seeking her help in disposing of it.
Moser and his mother, 57-year-old Rachel Moser, then allegedly tried to remove evidence from the Jeep, their bodies and their clothing, authorities said.
The mother-son duo then drove the Jeep back to California Borough, where they dumped the vehicle outside of the PennWest California campus at the public library, officials alleged.
Heintz family called police to request a wellness check on the teen after they didn’t hear from her when she was supposed to arrive at her dorm.
Police found Heintz in the back of her car at around 12:30 a.m.
The teen, who had committed to play soccer for the university’s women’s soccer team, was remembered as a “happy, bubbly teammate” after her death.
“There are no words to describe the immense pain and sorrow we feel from the loss of our friend and teammate, Karoline,” the team said on Instagram while looking beyond the horrific murder.
“She is so much more than what happened to her and we want to honor and focus on who she was as a person – she was a beautiful soul. The happy, bubbly teammate who was always smiling on and off the field,” the statement added alongside a photo of Heintz dressed in her soccer uniform making a heart with her hands.
“We stand with her family and close friends during this time and will dedicate every game to her memory and what she brought to our squad,” the team said.
A makeshift memorial was set up for Heintz outside the library on Friday, according to social media posts by her teammates.
Moser and his mother were arrested Thursday morning.
Moser was charged with criminal homicide, two counts of tampering with evidence, two counts of abuse of a corpse and obstruction.
His mother, who apologized for her son taking a life was charged with helping cover up the crime, including hindering apprehension, tampering with evidence, obstruction and related offenses.
The suspected teen murderer allegedly confided in his mother that he had been taken over by a demon who told him to harm Heintz before urging him to stab his girlfriend, police alleged.
Friends of the grieving family set up a GoFundMe for donations dedicated to establishing a scholarship in Heintz’s honor and supporting organizations that work to prevent domestic abuse and assist those affected by it.
“Karoline was a beloved daughter, sister, family member, friend, classmate, and teammate whose life touched so many people,” Mark Sperry and Amy Anderson wrote.
“We hope that through these efforts, Karoline’s legacy will provide opportunities for young people in the years ahead while also helping individuals and families affected by domestic violence,” they said.
