Raymond “RC” Horsch, the alleged serial killer linked to the disappearance of at least seven women in Philadelphia, once portrayed himself as a feminist and outspoken opponent of racism in a lengthy manifesto.
Horsch, who died last year at 82, published the self-written book Worldview: A User’s Guide to the Human Brain in 2023.
In the 230-page manifesto obtained by the New York Post, Horsch described humans as an “insignificant life form,” no more remarkable than dogs or cockroaches. He also devoted an entire chapter to the subject of ending racism.
“Every mention or reference to racial characteristics or race is, by definition and without exception, racist,” Horsch wrote.
“The real solution is to not condemn and exclude, but rather to embrace, value and celebrate difference,” he continued. “The key to the success of any society is diversity in all things – thought, intellect, social custom, race, ethnic heritage, gender.”
Horsch also wrote extensively about climate change, comparing humanity to “a cancer” and condemning what he called “the effects of resource rape, pollution and carbon emission.”
“The ice is not going to stop melting and [the] sea level is not going to stop rising,” he wrote. “Depleted ocean oxygen levels, mostly due to the massive dumping of waste and plastic, are causing irreversible extinctions and loss of entire ecosystems.”
Suspected serial killer Raymond “RC” Horsch, who died last year at 82, portrayed himself as a feminist and critic of racism in a self-published manifesto
The manifesto was not Horsch’s only self-published work. He also released two semi-autobiographical novels, in 2013 and 2014, which investigators are now examining for possible clues connected to his alleged crimes.
In one of the books, Empathy: The Memoir of an Empathetic Serial Killer, Horsch’s central character murders a desperate drug addict named Krista after meeting her in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood. Horsch was known to spend time in the troubled district.
“I am a murderer,” he wrote. “I crush her trachea. I feel her hyoid crack and collapse. I kiss her tenderly on her lips and eyes. I cry and sob uncontrollably.”
The character then describes in graphic detail disposing of Krista’s body in a bathtub with lye purchased from a local plumbing supply store and an old plastic scoop.
According to the Post, Horsch also wrote that “Krista will live longer than most because she will always exist in my [photographs].”
Elsewhere, the protagonist appears to suggest that he killed his elderly mother by suffocating her with a hospital pillow.
It remains unclear whether Horsch killed his mother, who raised him in Bucks County before he later moved to his home in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood.
Philadelphia police are preparing for an extensive search of the property, which investigators have described as a house of horrors. They have already found more than one million digital images and videos allegedly showing sex, drug use and at least one apparent snuff film.
Investigators found more than one million digital images and videos allegedly showing sex, drug use and at least one apparent snuff film at Horsch’s Philadelphia home
Police said they expect to bring “a lot” of heavy equipment to the property throughout October. An excavator is pictured at the home in July
Investigators have identified at least 58 alleged victims in the material. Police said at least five women shown in the videos appear to be dead or unconscious.
Police also reported finding at least one illegal firearm, ammunition, chemicals, a fake FBI badge, a marijuana-growing operation and five urns containing cremated remains inside the home.
Among those who appeared unconscious in the videos recovered at the house were Gabrielle Amarando, Maribel Fresses and Nicole Fusaro, all of whom went missing years ago, sources familiar with the investigation told CBS News.
RC Horsch’s ex-wife and another woman tied to him, Blair Tonzelli, also remain missing.
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.
(L-R) Gabrielle Amarando and Maribel Fresses were seen in the evidence collected at Horsch’s house. They disappeared in 2021 and 2018 at the ages of 22 and 27, respectively
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
The investigation into Horsch began after his son, Eugene Horsch, 44, was involved in a traffic stop.
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 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
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.
