Recent Peters Township HS Graduate Found Dead In Her Vehicle; Death Deemed Suspicious

CALIFORNIA, PA —The death of a recent Peters Township High School graduate found dead in a vehicle early Thursday is being investigated as suspicious by Pennsylvania State Police.

The body of Karoline Heintz, 18, of McMurray, a PennWest California student, was discovered near the California Public Library along Wood Street around 12:30 a.m., according to the Washington County Coroner's Office.

According to the coroner's office, Heintz was with family earlier in the day on Wednesday 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.

Heintz was a recent graduate of Peters Township High School and was on the PennWest California Vulcans women's soccer team roster.

The university issued the following statement on Thursday:

"PennWest University is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Karoline Heintz, who was a first-year student at the California campus. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, and all those affected by this tragedy.

"Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the incident, which occurred off campus, and PennWest University police are cooperating fully with the investigation.”