Philadelphia, Pennsylvania —
A sprawling investigation surrounding a home on 417 West Chew Avenue in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood has raised questions about multiple missing women.
A massive collection of digital files, and what investigators may have found inside the property.
The investigation centers on the former home of Raymond “R.C.” Horsch, who died in 2025, and his son, Eugene Horsch, who remains in federal custody on unrelated firearms charges.
Authorities have connected seven women to the investigation.
Five are believed by investigators to be dead, although no bodies have been recovered and none of the women have been officially declared dead.
MORE THAN 1 MILLION
IMAGES AND VIDEOS
Investigators have recovered more than one million digital files from the property.
Philadelphia police have reported approximately 600,000 images and 70,000 videos from hard drives recovered inside the home.
Authorities say some of the material depicts women who appear injured, unconscious or possibly deceased.
Police have emphasized that investigators must determine which material represents staged adult-film productions and which, if any, documents actual crimes.
Officials have said the digital evidence is being painstakingly authenticated.
Police have identified 58 people appearing in the recovered material.
Some have been located and interviewed, while investigators continue trying to identify and contact others.
THE WOMEN CONNECTED
TO THE CASE
Among the women connected
to the investigation are:
Gabrielle Amarando, who disappeared in 2012 at age 22.
Amy McHale, who disappeared in 2016 at age 44.
- Her family says she was last seen at the Chew Avenue home and had previously been married to
R.C. Horsch.
Maribel Fresses, who disappeared in Philadelphia
in 2018.
Nicole Fusaro, who was 27 when she disappeared in 2018.
- Investigators have identified her as the woman allegedly shown in video being strangled by R.C. Horsch.
Blair Tonzelli, who disappeared in 2023 at age 35.
- Her identification was reportedly found in the possession of a woman who was with Eugene Horsch when he was arrested in June.
Authorities have also identified a 25-year-old woman appearing injured or unconscious in the digital evidence, but her family has asked that her name remain private.
Another woman remains unidentified and is being referred to as Jane Doe.
WHAT WAS FOUND INSIDE
THE HOME?
The investigation has uncovered a disturbing collection of physical evidence.
Authorities have removed chemicals, firearms, ammunition, drugs, pipes and a 55-gallon drum connected to water lines from the property.
Investigators also found five urns containing what are believed to be cremated remains.
Police say some of those remains have been attributed to people known to Horsch, but the identities associated with two of the urns remain unknown.
Investigators also discovered a handwritten note referencing serial killer Ted Bundy and methods for disposing of trash.
Authorities have cautioned that some writings found at the property may have been related to fiction or Horsch’s filmmaking and writing.
Philadelphia police and the FBI have repeatedly returned to the property, including a major renewed search that began in late September.
Investigators have been working floor-by-floor, examining flooring, drywall and other portions of the structure for potential DNA and other forensic evidence.
Investigators have also removed pipes from the home and sent evidence to federal laboratories for testing.
No human remains have
been recovered from the
property to date.
Authorities are asking anyone who has been inside 417 West Chew Avenue or has information about activity at the property to come forward.
Anyone who believes a missing loved one may be connected to the home is also encouraged to contact Philadelphia police.
Philadelphia Police Tip Line:
215-686-TIPS (8477)
Homicide Unit: 215-686-3334
JUSTICE FOR THE WOMEN WHO MAY HAVE BEEN LOST
The women connected to 417 West Chew Avenue deserve to remain at the center of the story—not forgotten.
