Man, His Mother Charged In PennWest-California Student Slaying Have Court Hearing

WASHINGTON, PA — The man and his mother charged in connection with the slaying of a PennWest University-California soccer player last month were held for trial after their preliminary hearing before a district judge Tuesday.

Following the hearing, Ryan Moser, 18, and his mother, Rachel Moser, 56, were remanded back to the Washington County Correctional Facility following the hearing. He is charged with criminal homicide, tampering with evidence, obstruction and abuse of a corpse; She is charged with tampering with evidence, obstruction, hindering apprehension and abuse of a corpse.

Authorities have said that Ryan Moser killed his girlfriend, Karoline Heintz, 18, of Peters, put her body in the hatch of her Jeep Cherokee and got his mother to help dispose of the body.

The body of Heintz, a recent Peters Township High School graduate, was found several hours after authorities believe the crime occurred, in her vehicle near the California Borough Public Library along Wood Street.

Authorities have said that Heintz was with family earlier in the day she died and was to return to campus housing. Family members tracked the location of her vehicle and contacted 911 after she failed to check in at an agreed-upon time.

Authorities said Heintz and Royce Moser met outside his father's home in North Strabane Wednesday to discuss the future of their relationship. Towards the end of the conversation Moser went into the residence, grabbed a large kitchen knife and then allegedly stabbed Heintz in the chest area.

Ryan Moser then allegedly drove the Jeep to his mother's home in Beallsville to talk to her about what to do. He ended up driving the Jeep to California, with his mother trailing him to ride him back to her home once the Jeep was abandoned.

Ryan Moser has told authorities that "demons" had told him to harm Heintz.