The grieving parents of slain Karoline Heintz, the Pennsylvania university soccer star who was found stabbed to death allegedly by her boyfriend, expressed that they are living a “parent’s worst nightmare.”
“It has been devastating for family, friends, and the whole community,” Heintz’s family said in a statement through the Pennsylvania State Police Friday, according to WTAE on Friday.
“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 while discussing her future with boyfriend Royce Moser Wednesday night.
The pair had met up outside Moser’s father’s home in North Strabane Township, where their conversation about their future went a “little bit south,” officials said.
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.
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’s home to enlist her help in disposing of the body.
Moser and his 57-year-old mother, Rachel Moser, attempted to clean up any evidence from the car, their bodies and their clothes.
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.
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