Philadelphia police are preparing for an extensive search of a house investigators describe as a “house of horrors,” once owned by a suspected serial killer believed to be connected to the disappearance of at least seven women.
Since June, investigators have been examining the activities of Raymond “RC” Horsch, who died last year at 82. Horsch was known for producing violent pornography and writing books about serial killers who targeted women.
The investigation began after a traffic stop involving Horsch’s 44-year-old son, Eugene Horsch. The encounter led police to suspect that he may have information about the disappearance of a woman who has been missing since 2023.
Investigators secured a warrant to search the three-story brick property that once belonged to Horsch’s late father. Inside, they found more than one million digital images and videos that allegedly showed sex, drug use and at least one suspected snuff film.
Police said the evidence identified at least 58 alleged victims. At least five women shown in the videos appeared to be unconscious or lifeless, according to investigators.
The property also contained at least one illegal firearm, ammunition, chemicals, a counterfeit FBI badge, a marijuana-growing operation and five urns holding cremated remains, police said.
Investigators now link RC Horsch to at least seven women who either died or disappeared in Philadelphia, including his former wife, Amy McHale.
On Sunday afternoon, Philadelphia police met with residents of the northern neighborhood where the property stands. Officials outlined how the more extensive search is expected to unfold in the coming weeks.
Philadelphia police are preparing an extensive search of the house of horrors, where investigators previously found digital images and videos allegedly depicting crimes
The property belonged to suspected serial killer Raymond “RC” Horsch, who died last year at the age of 82
Police said they expect to bring “a lot” of heavy equipment to the property throughout October. An excavator is shown at the home in July
“You’re going to see a lot of equipment,” Philadelphia Police Homicide Unit Staff Inspector Ernest Ransom told roughly 100 residents gathered at a neighborhood church, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Ransom cautioned that residents would likely see a significant police presence outside the home on Monday and Tuesday, although he did not specify what investigators planned to do during that period.
Police said heavy equipment would begin arriving at the property on October 5. Officials did not disclose what they would be looking for or how the machinery would be used.
First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford told residents they would continue to have access to their homes, but warned that streets would be closed and some vehicles would need to be moved.
Ransom called the operation “a large project,” while Stanford said the work could continue throughout October.
Resident Alice Hunter expressed hope that the property would eventually be demolished once the investigation was complete, telling officials, “Hopefully, when you’re finished, you’ll tear it down,” according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Sources familiar with the investigation told CBS News that Gabrielle Amarando, Maribel Fresses and Nicole Fusaro were among the women who appeared unconscious in videos recovered from the property. All three disappeared years ago.
Horsch’s former wife, Amy McHale, and another woman connected to him, Blair Tonzelli, also remain missing.
(L-R) Gabrielle Amarando and Maribel Fresses appeared in evidence collected from Horsch’s home. They disappeared in 2021 and 2018 at ages 22 and 27, respectively
YOU MAY ALSO READ: Family Speaks Out as Paralyzed Marine Vet’s Health May Delay Testimony
Other footage collected from the house reportedly showed Horsch strangling Nicole Fusaro, who disappeared in 2018 at the age of 27
Horsch’s ex-wife, Amy McHale, also remains missing. Horsch’s is now linked to a total of at least seven missing women
Ten others seen in the evidence reportedly overdosed and were found in locations across Philadelphia, while 16 other alleged victims were found alive but were ‘not very cooperative’ and did not want to discuss what occurred in the home. Three refused to speak to investigators.
Authorities are now working to speak with 25 other alleged victims they have identified from the unsettling videos and images.
Officials were led to the home just days after a federal park ranger interacted with Eugene, the son of the alleged serial killer, who now owns the home and resided there with his late father.
Eugene was inside a vehicle with a woman in an unrestricted area in Independence National Historical Park on June 19, according to a legal complaint reviewed by Our News Outlet.
When the officer approached the black BMW, he heard the female say something along the lines of ‘you’re going to hurt me!’ when Eugene rolled the window down, the complaint read.
The ranger quickly noticed sores on both of their arms, ‘which are common among illegal drug users,’ according to the document.
Eugene was holding tweezers and a butane lighter was clearly visible inside the car, the ranger noted.
Based on what he observed, the ranger asked Eugene and the woman to provide identification, according to the complaint.
The investigation into Horsch began in June, when police pulled over his son, Eugene, 44, in Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia
A woman in the car with Eugene provided identification for a missing 35-year-old woman named Blair Tonzelli (pictured), who disappeared in 2023. She is still considered missing
Records showed that the woman’s ID belonged to a missing person reported out of Philadelphia, which led the officer to ask Eugene to step out of the car, per the complaint.
NBC reports that the ID belonged to Blair Tonzelli, who had been missing since 2023.
As he opened the car door, Eugene ‘quickly reached under the driver’s seat of the BMW,’ causing the ranger to handcuff and pat him down, the legal document read.
A glass drug pipe and a switchblade knife were found in Eugene’s pants pocket per the complaint. The officer also located two firearms near the floorboard of the car, which appeared to be what he was trying to reach for before he was detained, the ranger documented.
The ranger also located a phony Drug Enforcement Administration badge in the vehicle that displayed an image of Eugene and the name ‘Eugene Fredrick Steiner,’ the complaint added.
Eugene has previously been convicted of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, aggravated assault and aggravated assault by vehicle.
He served time in prison for the crimes and is banned from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law, the complaint said.
Eugene has not been charged with any crimes in connection with the missing women, and remains in federal custody on charges related to illegal gun possession. He has not entered a plea.
