The investigation into a Philadelphia home linked to suspected serial killer Raymond “RC” Horsch has intensified, with police and the FBI deploying specialized detection dogs and preparing to test the property for possible blood traces.
Authorities have searched the two-story brick house several times. The property was owned by Horsch, who died last year at 82 and was known as an adult filmmaker and author of books about serial killers who targeted women.
Investigators believe seven missing women may have connections to Horsch and the home, located in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood.
A preliminary search reportedly uncovered more than one million photographs and videos involving alleged sex acts and drug use, including what authorities believe may be at least one snuff film.
Police say the material appears to feature at least 58 alleged victims. In at least five recordings, the women appear to be either unconscious or dead, according to investigators.
The FBI became involved Tuesday. By Friday, Philadelphia police had brought in Cache, an electronic-detection dog, along with additional K-9s, sources told CBS News.
Cache, a black Labrador, is trained to locate concealed digital storage devices by detecting the oils left on their surfaces.
Investigators also plan to apply luminol inside the house Monday. The chemical can react with iron in blood and produce a short-lived blue glow, even when an area has been cleaned.
Philadelphia police have intensified their investigation of the home, where digital files reportedly included images and videos depicting alleged violence, including at least one suspected snuff film
The property belonged to suspected serial killer Raymond “RC” Horsch, who died at 82 last year. Police searched the site with detection dogs Friday and plan to test for possible blood evidence Monday
The luminol examination is expected to take place after sunset, when any chemical reaction may be more visible in the darkness.
Authorities are then expected to bring heavy machinery to the property Tuesday as they search underground areas for evidence that could connect Horsch to the missing women.
As of Sunday, police had not announced finding human remains at the property or nearby. Officials also had not said whether Cache’s search uncovered additional digital devices or files.
Sources told CBS News that the women identified in the files include Gabrielle Amarando, Maribel Fresses and Nicole Fusaro, who each disappeared several years ago.
Horsch’s former wife, Amy McHale, is also missing, as is Blair Tonzelli, another woman investigators have linked to him.
According to reports, 10 other women appearing in the material later died from overdoses and were discovered at different locations around Philadelphia. Sixteen alleged victims were found alive, but investigators said they were reluctant to describe what happened inside the home. Three declined to speak with authorities.
Investigators are now attempting to locate and interview 25 additional alleged victims identified through the disturbing photographs and videos.
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The investigation began after a federal park ranger encountered Eugene, Horsch’s son, just days before authorities were led to the property. Eugene now owns the house and had lived there with his father.
(L-R) Gabrielle Amarando and Maribel Fresses were reportedly identified in material recovered from Horsch’s home. They disappeared in 2021 and 2018, at ages 22 and 27, respectively
Other footage reportedly recovered from the property appeared to show 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
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 the Daily Mail.
When the officer approached the black BMW, he heard the female say something along the lines of ‘you’re going to hurt me!’ as 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.
Records then 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.
The disturbing find led authorities to conduct a search of Eugene and his father’s home, where they found the creepy videos and images.
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
The home also contained at least one illegal gun, ammunition, chemicals, a fake FBI badge, a marijuana growing operation and five urns containing cremated remains, according to police.
Eugene remains behind bars on drug and gun charges as his lawyer said he is upset that the house will be destroyed by the police activity inside.
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