Community holds vigil for slain PennWest student-athlete

Hundreds of community members gathered at Trinity United Methodist Church in Peters Township for a candlelight vigil to honor Karoline Heintz, an 18-year-old PennWest California student-athlete who was killed on August 19.

State police allege that Heintz’s boyfriend, Royce Moser, stabbed her in the chest outside his father’s North Strabane home following a dispute regarding their relationship. Moser has been charged with homicide and is being held without bail. His mother, Rachel Moser, faces charges including hindering apprehension, tampering with evidence, and abusing a corpse, following allegations that she assisted in an attempt to cover up the crime.

The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) announced it will observe moments of silence at all conference athletic events from August 27 through September 3 in honor of the victim, who was a member of the PennWest California women’s soccer team.