Authorities released police bodycam footage on Thursday showing the discovery of the body of Karoline Heintz, a Pennsylvania college student, which led to the arrest of her boyfriend, Royce Moser. Moser, 18, of North Strabane Township, faces a homicide charge in connection with Heintz's death. Heintz was a student at PennWest California University and was reported missing after failing to return to campus on August 20. According to a criminal complaint, Moser stated that during a conversation in her vehicle, he became angry and claimed a 'demon' told him to stab her.
A preliminary hearing for Moser and his mother, Rachel Moser, was held on Tuesday. An attorney for Royce Moser declined to comment on the charges, and a message left for Rachel Moser's public defender was not returned. The released 37-minute video shows a police officer approaching Heintz's Jeep at night, where he discovers her body in the back seat. The officer called for emergency medical services, stating, 'I’ve got an unconscious female in the back of this car right now. Any additional units, any in the available area, please.' He later confirmed that she was not breathing and reported, 'I’ve got blood everywhere.'
The affidavit detailed that Moser had told Heintz, 'wait, I have something for you' before retrieving a knife from his home. After the stabbing, Heintz fell out of her vehicle, and Moser placed her in the back hatch of the Jeep before driving away. Moser's mother allegedly assisted in covering up the crime by advising him to change his clothes and disposing of the knife in a garbage bag. Both Royce and Rachel Moser have been charged with tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, and obstruction of justice. Rachel Moser, 56, faces additional charges for hindering the apprehension of a fugitive and criminal use of a communication device. They are currently held without bail in the Washington County jail, with a formal arraignment scheduled for October 13. Heintz's family has requested privacy during this time, expressing their devastation over the loss of their daughter.