{"id":270076,"date":"2026-08-22T09:12:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-22T09:12:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/270076\/"},"modified":"2026-08-22T09:12:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T09:12:10","slug":"pennwest-university-soccer-player-karoline-heintzs-parents-speak-out-as-teen-his-mom-are-arrested","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/270076\/","title":{"rendered":"PennWest University soccer player Karoline Heintz’s parents speak out as teen, his mom are arrested"},"content":{"rendered":"

The grieving parents of slain Karoline Heintz, the Pennsylvania university soccer star who was found stabbed to death allegedly by her boyfriend,<\/a> expressed that they are living a \u201cparent\u2019s worst nightmare.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has been devastating for family, friends, and the whole community,\u201d Heintz\u2019s family said in a statement through the Pennsylvania State Police Friday, according to WTAE<\/a> on Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cKaroline was loved by all. She was a kind, smart, beautiful girl. We want justice for our \u2018sweet\u2019 Karoline.\u201d<\/p>\n

Karoline Heintz with her family in an undated photo at a West Virginia University football game. Gofundme<\/p>\n

Heintz, an 18-year-old incoming freshman at PennWest California University, was allegedly killed while discussing her future with boyfriend Royce Moser Wednesday night.<\/p>\n

The pair had met up outside Moser\u2019s father\u2019s home in North Strabane Township, where their conversation about their future went a \u201clittle bit south,\u201d officials said.<\/p>\n

Moser, 18, said he had something for Heintz and ran inside and grabbed a large kitchen knife he allegedly used to stab the teen girl in the chest.<\/p>\n

Heintz, who was inside her Jeep Cherokee during the attack, fell out of the car before Moser allegedly stuffed her body in the back hatch and desperately raced to his mother\u2019s home to enlist her help in disposing of the body.<\/p>\n

Moser and his 57-year-old mother, Rachel Moser, attempted to clean up any evidence from the car, their bodies and their clothes.<\/p>\n

Heintz was an 18-year-old incoming freshman at PennWest California University gearing up for her first year on the women\u2019s soccer team. Instagram\/Cal U Women’s Soccer<\/p>\n

Karoline Heintz was allegedly killed while discussing her future with boyfriend Royce Moser. Instagram\/roycemoser26<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Heintz family called police to request a wellness check on the teen after they didn\u2019t hear from her when she was supposed to arrive at her dorm.<\/p>\n

Police found Heintz in the back of her car at around 12:30 a.m.<\/p>\n

The teen, who had committed to play soccer for the university\u2019s women\u2019s soccer team, was remembered as a \u201chappy, bubbly teammate\u201d after her death.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are no words to describe the immense pain and sorrow we feel from the loss of our friend and teammate, Karoline,\u201d the team said on Instagram<\/a> while looking beyond the horrific murder.<\/p>\n

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\u201cShe is so much more than what happened to her and we want to honor and focus on who she was as a person \u2013 she was a beautiful soul. The happy, bubbly teammate who was always smiling on and off the field,\u201d the statement added alongside a photo of Heintz dressed in her soccer uniform making a heart with her hands.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe 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,\u201d the team said.<\/p>\n

A makeshift memorial was set up for Heintz outside the library on Friday, according to social media posts by her teammates.<\/p>\n

Royce Moser is walked out of the Pennsylvania State Troopers barracks after her arrest on Aug. 20, 2026. WTAE<\/p>\n

Rachel Moser covers her face after her arrest for allegedly helping her son cover up a murder. WTAE<\/p>\n

Moser and his mother were arrested Thursday morning.<\/p>\n

Moser was charged with criminal homicide, two counts of tampering with evidence, two counts of abuse of a corpse and obstruction.<\/p>\n

His mother, who apologized for her son taking a life<\/a> was charged with helping cover up the crime, including hindering apprehension, tampering with evidence, obstruction and related offenses.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Friends of the grieving family set up a GoFundMe for donations dedicated to establishing a scholarship in Heintz\u2019s honor and supporting organizations that work to prevent domestic abuse and assist those affected by it.<\/p>\n

\u201cKaroline was a beloved daughter, sister, family member, friend, classmate, and teammate whose life touched so many people,\u201d Mark Sperry and Amy Anderson wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hope that through these efforts, Karoline\u2019s legacy will provide opportunities for young people in the years ahead while also helping individuals and families affected by domestic violence,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n

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