A preliminary hearing detailed phone records, surveillance footage and physical evidence prosecutors say connect a mother and son to the case.
WASHINGTON, Pa. — A judge ordered criminal charges against an 18-year-old man and his mother to move forward after prosecutors presented extensive evidence Tuesday in the death of PennWest California student Karoline Heintz, including surveillance video, phone data and testimony about evidence recovered from a home.
Royce Moser, 18, of North Strabane Township, faces a criminal homicide charge and other counts stemming from the Aug. 19 death of Heintz, an 18-year-old Peters Township graduate who was preparing to begin her freshman year at Pennsylvania Western University’s California campus. His mother, Rachel Moser, 56, of Beallsville, is accused of helping her son after the killing. District Judge Charles Tenny held both defendants for court on all charges following the preliminary hearing.
Authorities allege Royce Moser stabbed Heintz while she was in her vehicle outside his North Strabane home. Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Jessica Bishop testified that Royce Moser told investigators he became angry during their conversation, went into the house, retrieved a knife and returned to the vehicle. Investigators allege Heintz suffered two stab wounds. The allegations have not been proven at trial.
Phone records described during the hearing helped prosecutors establish a timeline leading to Heintz’s arrival at the Moser home. A Washington County District Attorney’s Office detective testified about messages exchanged between the two that night. GPS information indicated Heintz’s phone arrived at the North Strabane residence about 9:46 p.m. and remained there for roughly half an hour, according to testimony reported from the hearing.
Prosecutors also traced what they say happened after the stabbing. Bishop testified that Royce Moser called his mother several times and told her during a roughly 10-minute call that he had stabbed Heintz and was driving to Rachel Moser’s home. Authorities allege Heintz was placed in the cargo area of her Jeep before the vehicle was driven from North Strabane to Beallsville.
Investigators allege the Mosers then took steps to clean the vehicle and move it to California Borough. Testimony indicated that disinfectant was used on the Jeep and that Royce Moser was given blue latex gloves. License plate readers, GPS records and surveillance footage were presented in court as prosecutors sought to establish the movements of two vehicles from Beallsville toward a parking area on Wood Street in California Borough.
California Borough police later located Heintz’s Jeep near the public library after her family became concerned when she did not return to campus and helped track the vehicle. An officer testified that he saw blood stains on parts of the Jeep before Heintz was found in the cargo area. Her death led state police to search properties connected to Royce and Rachel Moser.
Physical evidence from Rachel Moser’s residence was also discussed during the hearing. Investigators testified about clothing found in a washing machine, latex gloves and a knife recovered from the property. A state police forensic witness testified that DNA recovered from the knife matched Heintz. Prosecutors presented more than 32 pieces of evidence and called six witnesses during the proceeding, according to WTAE.
The hearing also addressed what investigators found on Royce Moser’s phone. Authorities testified that searches made after the killing included questions about removing fingerprints from objects, the length of time Ring cameras retain video and whether an 18-year-old could face the death penalty. Other searches referenced murder and claims about being controlled by a demon. Those searches were introduced as evidence but do not themselves establish guilt.
Royce Moser faces criminal homicide as well as charges related to abuse of a corpse, evidence tampering and obstruction. Rachel Moser faces charges including hindering apprehension, evidence tampering, abuse of a corpse and obstruction. A new charge of criminal use of a communications facility was filed against her Tuesday, according to court reporting. Both defendants have remained in the Washington County Jail without bond.
The case now moves beyond the preliminary-hearing stage, where prosecutors were required to present sufficient evidence for the charges to continue. Royce and Rachel Moser are scheduled for formal arraignment Oct. 13. The charges remain allegations, and both defendants are entitled to the presumption of innocence as the case proceeds.
Author note: Last updated Sept. 2, 2026.