A disturbing investigation into possible serial killings could become even more sinister if authorities determine that gruesome images found inside the home of a deceased pornographer were shared with a broader underground audience, a prominent police and forensic psychologist said.
Raymond “RC” Horsch, 82, produced pornography and books centered on violent themes before his death last year. The case took a troubling turn in June, when his 44-year-old son, Eugene Horsch, was arrested on allegations involving illegal firearms and forgery. A subsequent search of the family property on West Chew Avenue in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood uncovered a series of disturbing items.
Investigators may also find that so-called snuff films were distributed through underground networks of people interested in that kind of material.
Law enforcement officers and utility crews excavate and collect items into containers at the home of 44-year-old Eugene Horsch on the 400 block of West Chew Avenue in the Olney neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pa., on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including Philadelphia police homicide detectives and the FBI, are conducting an investigation after chemicals, ammunition and drugs were found inside the home in June. Horsch is in custody on several charges. The home has been the center of an ongoing drugs and weapons investigation that began in June when Horsch was arrested in Center City for drugs and weapons, and has since expanded to involve at least two missing persons cases. (Sipa USA via AP)
Among the evidence reportedly recovered were videos described as possible “snuff” footage, including images believed to show several missing women, as well as a barrel of chemicals connected to the home’s water system.
“The father’s involvement in pornography raises the possibility that, beyond the sadistic motives often associated with serial murders, there could also have been a financial motive tied to distributing alleged snuff films,” said Dr. Kris Mohandie, a board-certified forensic psychologist.
An FBI agent removed an autoclave from the home of Eugene Horsch during a raid on the 400 block of West Chew Avenue in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood on Monday, July 13, 2026. The FBI and Philadelphia police homicide detectives are investigating after chemicals, ammunition and drugs were found in the home in June. Horsch, 44, is in custody on several charges. (Kyle Mazza/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect)
Police have connected the Olney property to investigations involving seven missing women. Authorities believe at least five of them may be dead, though no homicide charges had been filed as of Friday.
RC Horsch, who had a conviction for producing methamphetamine, also wrote sexually explicit books featuring violence. His 2014 title, “Empathy,” includes a chapter describing how a murdered woman’s body could be dissolved using boiling chemicals.
Amazon and Goodreads removed the book from their listings Friday.
FBI agents removed evidence from the home of Eugene Horsch during a raid on the 400 block of West Chew Avenue in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood on Monday, July 13, 2026. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including Philadelphia police homicide detectives and the FBI, are investigating after chemicals, ammunition and drugs were found in the home in June. Horsch, 44, is in custody on several charges. (Kyle Mazza/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect)
Philadelphia police say they recovered more than 1 million digital files, including photographs and videos, from the residence. Investigators had examined fewer than one-third of them by Friday, but officials reportedly recognized four of the missing women in the material.
FBI agents execute a search warrant at the home of Eugene Horsch on the 400 block of West Chew Avenue in the Olney neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pa., on Monday, July 13, 2026. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including Philadelphia police homicide detectives and the FBI, are conducting an investigation after chemicals, ammunition and drugs were found inside the home in June. The 44-year-old Horsch is in custody on several charges. It is the third time the FBI has returned to the property to search for evidence. (Kyle Mazza/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect)
Two of the women have been publicly named as Gabrielle Amarando and Maribel Fresses.
Mohandie said the nature of the video evidence was especially troubling.
Law enforcement officers and utility crews excavate at the home of Eugene Horsch on the 400 block of West Chew Avenue in the Olney neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pa., on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including Philadelphia police homicide detectives and the FBI, are investigating after chemicals, ammunition and drugs were found inside the home in June. The 44-year-old Horsch is in custody on several charges. (Kyle Mazza/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect)
“In addition to the horrific crimes allegedly connected to this case — including abduction, rape and torture, acts often associated with sadistic offenders — investigators may also be examining whether alleged snuff films were supplied to underground networks,” Mohandie said. “That is frightening, and I hope investigators can answer those questions.”
Authorities have also alleged that, when Eugene Horsch was arrested in the spring, a woman who was with him possessed identification belonging to one of the missing women.
R.C. Horsch seen in a 1999 mugshot. (S. E. Stokowski/Wikimedia Creative Commons)
Search crews have been examining the area around and beneath the property, including nearby sewer lines, as the investigation continues.
The younger Horsch has not been charged in connection with the missing women.
Law enforcement officers and utility crews excavate at the home of Eugene Horsch for a second time on the 400 block of West Chew Avenue in the Olney neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pa., on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Philadelphia police homicide detectives and the FBI are investigating after chemicals, ammunition and drugs were found inside the home in June. Horsch, 44, is in custody on several charges. (Kyle Mazza/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect)
The investigation remains ongoing.