An 18-year-old Pennsylvania man confessed to stabbing his girlfriend to death after claiming demons commanded him to commit the act, while his mother now faces charges for helping him cover up the crime and dispose of evidence.

College Student Found Dead in Vehicle

Karoline Heintz, a college student at PennWest-California University, was discovered deceased in the rear hatch area of her Jeep Cherokee just after midnight on Thursday. Police located the vehicle in a California Borough parking lot after her father contacted authorities when she failed to return to her dormitory. Officers found noticeable blood splatter inside and outside the vehicle when they arrived at the scene. Heintz had left her father’s residence earlier that evening with plans to possibly visit Target before heading back to campus.

Jerad Heintz, the victim’s father, tracked his daughter’s location and noticed she had stopped at her boyfriend’s house. Approximately 30 minutes later, her phone’s last location transmission registered near 2501 National Pike. An AirTag in her vehicle ultimately led police to the parking lot where they made the grim discovery.

Mother Helped Son Cover Up Crime

Royce Moser, 18, faces murder charges along with tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, and obstruction of justice. His mother, Rachel Moser, faces charges including hindering apprehension of a fugitive, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, and obstruction of justice. Investigators allege Royce Moser retrieved a large kitchen knife from his father’s residence during an argument with Heintz and stabbed her in the chest. After she fell from the vehicle, he allegedly placed her body in the rear hatch area and drove to his mother’s home.

Rachel Moser allegedly provided her son with latex gloves, helped clean the Jeep Cherokee, and instructed him to follow her back to the university. Surveillance footage captured both vehicles traveling to the campus, where they abandoned the Jeep near the library with Heintz’s body still inside. Back at Rachel Moser’s residence, she allegedly washed his clothes while he bathed and showered.

Confession and Evidence Recovery

During police interviews, Royce Moser admitted to killing Heintz, telling investigators he became angry and had a demon take over that told him to stab her. Rachel Moser confirmed to police that her son had admitted to the stabbing and mentioned he had demons that told him to hurt the victim. She also acknowledged helping him return the vehicle to campus after he requested assistance.

Rachel Moser told investigators she disposed of the murder weapon by placing the knife in a garbage bag outside her home. Police recovered the knife matching Royce Moser’s description. Both suspects were taken into custody at Rachel Moser’s residence, where investigators gathered crucial evidence linking them to the crime and subsequent cover-up attempts.