Pennsylvania teen said ‘demons’ made him stab girlfriend to death, hide body with his mom: police

Royce Moser, 18, has been charged with homicide in the death of Karoline Heintz, a soccer player at Penn West California. Heintz's body was found in the back of a Jeep Cherokee at around 12:24 am on Thursday near a public library around 35 miles from Pittsburg, according to officials.

According to a statement from Pennsylvania State Police, "The California Police Department was notified to check the area for a Jeep Cherokee after Karoline Heintz failed to return to California University."

When police found the vehicle, there was blood spatter in and outside the Jeep, and Heitz's body was found in the rear hatch. According to authorities, an "investigation revealed that Karoline Heintz met with her boyfriend, Royce Moser, outside his father's residence in North Strabane to talk. During the discussion, Royce Moser reportedly became angry and entered the residence. Moser then retrieved a large kitchen knife and stabbed Heintz in the chest. After she fell from the vehicle, Royce Moser placed her in the rear hatch area of the Jeep and drove to the residence of his mother, Rachel Moser, in Beallsville."

Moser then recruited his mother to help clean the Jeep with cleaning sprays, and his mother obliged, giving him latex gloves in order to clean out the car, according to the statement from police. After cleaning up the car, Rachel Moser told her son to follow her to the university with the body still inside.

"They then left the Jeep Cherokee near the California’s Library with Karoline Heintz still inside. Rachel Moser then drove Royce Moser back to her residence, where he cleaned his clothes and showered," authorities stated.

Royce Moser has been charged with homicide, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence, conspiracy to commit abuse of a corpse, and obstruction of justice. Racher Moser has also been charged with hindering apprehension, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, and obstruction.

Both remain in police custody.

The mother later told authorities that her son admitted to attacking his girlfriend and “she further related that Royce told her he had ‘demons’ and they told him to hurt the victim," court documents obtained by NBC News stated. "He further related to her that he didn’t know if the victim was ‘dead or alive.’”