Community gathers for candlelight vigils honoring slain PennWest freshman
Trinity United Methodist Church in Peters and the Sisters of the Divine Redeemer Chapel in Elizabeth Township hosted the vigils.
By the MVI
Two area churches hosted candlelight prayer vigils Sunday night for Karoline Heintz, a Peters Township High School alumna and PennWest University freshman killed last week.
PennWest California student trustee Addison Gregory, of California, lights the candle of Student Government President Rylee Kendro, of North Huntingdon, during the “PennWest Celebrates” candlelighting ceremony near the Vulcan statue Sunday. The ceremony marked the conclusion of welcome weekend and the beginning of the academic year. During the ceremony, the university community also paused to remember PennWest California student Karoline Heintz. Jeff Helsel / Mon Valley Independent
Vigils were held last night at Trinity United Methodist Church in Peters Township and the Sisters of the Divine Redeemer Chapel in Elizabeth Township.
In a Facebook post, the Rock of Redeemer welcomed the community to attend the vigil in Elizabeth Township.
“Many from Elizabeth Forward may not realize how deeply the heartbreaking loss of Karoline Heintz touches our community. Karoline’s grandparents, Eugene and Lora Heintz, and their extended family have been a wonderful part of our community for decades, quietly supporting and caring for so many along the way. Now, we have an opportunity to surround their family with that same love and support through prayer,” the post states.
Dozens gathered at Trinity United Methodist Church to remember and honor her, and several vehicles had already filled the church parking lot more than an hour before the scheduled 6 p.m. start time. A bus full of Heintz’s teammates from PennWest California also attended the service.
Police found Heintz, 18, stabbed to death in Washington County in the hatch of her Jeep Cherokee. Her boyfriend, Royce Moser, was charged with homicide. Both Moser and his mother, who police charged with trying to cover up the crime, remained in jail Sunday.
“This is a parent’s worst nightmare,” Heintz’s mother and father told reporters Friday in a prepared statement. “It has been devastating for family, friends and the whole community. Karoline was loved by all. She was a kind, smart, beautiful girl. We want justice for our ‘sweet’ Karoline.”
The family has declined to make further comments.
Police released no new information this weekend about the final moments before, they allege, Moser was overcome by a “demon” and stabbed Heintz, his girlfriend, in the chest.
Moser, 18, of North Strabane, was held without bail Sunday on homicide and related charges at Washington County Prison, court records show.
His mother, Rachel Moser, also remained in jail on a felony charge of hindering apprehension and misdemeanor counts of tampering with evidence, obstructing authorities and abusing a corpse.
When public tributes about Heintz began surfacing Friday, they often cited how the standout soccer player was anxious to shine on a new stage: PennWest California’s Vulcans soccer team.
“FOREVER A VULCAN,” a handwritten note read Friday at a makeshift memorial to Heintz outside California Borough Library, in the parking lot where her car was found. A nearby flagpole was flanked with roses and carnations in shades of red, white and peach.
“Her impact on the game extended far beyond the field — and she will be deeply missed,” the group PA West Soccer posted Friday to social media.
Heintz had served as star defender and longtime girls’ team captain for Victory Soccer Club.
“Victory Soccer Club … was created to be a family — a place where caring for one another, supporting one another and loving one another would always come first,” the club team wrote Friday in a Facebook post mourning Heintz, who wore No. 57.
