Hundreds gather at vigil to honor Peters Township teen
PennWest soccer player was victim of fatal stabbing
Hundreds gathered inside Trinity United Methodist Church in Peters Township on Sunday night for a vigil to honor the life of Karoline Heintz.
Heintz, 18, a Peters Township graduate and incoming freshman at PennWest California, where she was a member of the women’s soccer team, died Aug. 19.
The parking lot began to fill more than an hour before the 6 p.m. service started as friends, neighbors, teammates and classmates, along with church and community members, turned out in an immense outpouring of support for the Heintz family.
Heintz’s family, who is facing what they described in a prepared statement as “a parent’s worst nightmare,” had requested privacy during the vigil, which was closed to the media.
Heintz’s boyfriend, Royce Moser, 18, of North Strabane Township, and Moser’s mother, Rachel Moser, of Beallsville, are facing charges in connection with her death.
State police allege that Moser stabbed Heintz outside his father’s North Strabane home following a conversation about their relationship. According to the criminal complaint, Moser’s mother, Rachel Moser, 56, of Beallsville, is charged with helping her son attempt to cover up the crime.
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), of which the PennWest Cal women’s soccer team is a member, announced it will observe a moment of silence at all conference athletic events from Aug. 27 through Sept. 3.
PennWest California athletic director Dr. Karen Hjerpe said in a statement, “California Athletics is devastated by the tragic loss of our student-athlete Karoline Heintz. Karoline was a bright and kind young woman with so much ahead of her. She will always remain in our hearts. Our deepest condolences are with her family, friends, teammates, coaches and all who knew and loved her.”
Victory Soccer Club, where Heintz had been team captain, said in a Facebook post following Heinz’s death, “Victory Soccer Club mourns the loss of our Karoline Heintz. Karoline was a beautiful person, inside and out – one of the happiest, most loyal, caring, and genuinely kind people you could ever have the privilege of knowing.”
A second vigil was held Sunday at Central Highlands Community United Methodist Church in Elizabeth Township.