Philadelphia Home Search Yields Human Ashes, Images of Seven Missing Women
Investigators found over one million images and five urns believed to contain human ashes in the residence of the deceased pornographer R.C. Horsch.
Philadelphia police discovered images of seven missing women, including two appearing unconscious and injured, within a home containing five urns suspected to hold human ashes. The investigation began after the June arrest of Eugene Horsch, the son of deceased pornographer Raymond "R.C." Horsch, who occupied the Chew Avenue residence.
Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore of the Philadelphia Police Department stated that initial analysis of the images revealed that Gabrielle Armando, 27, and Marabel Fresses, 26, were shown unconscious and with apparent injuries in the home. Metadata indicates these images were taken in 2017. Both women remain missing, and their bodies or DNA evidence have not been recovered.
Eugene Horsch, 44, was arrested on June 19 by a Federal Park Ranger outside Philadelphia's Independence Mall. During his arrest, officers seized firearms, narcotics, and a fraudulent federal law enforcement identification. Task force officers from the DEA subsequently obtained a warrant for Horsch's residence.
During the search of the home, investigators uncovered a "homemade laboratory of some kind in the basement area," five urns believed to contain human ashes, and a substantial amount of digital evidence, including computers, hard drives, flash drives, DVRs, cameras, and phones. Vanore noted that investigators have identified 58 individuals in the recovered media, with four appearing lifeless. One video reportedly depicts what may have happened to one of these individuals.
One of the individuals found in the home was Blair Tonzelli, who has been missing since February 2023. The female passenger in the vehicle with Eugene Horsch during his arrest had presented police with Tonzelli's false identification. The true identity of the woman in the vehicle has not been released.
Investigators also linked R.C. Horsch's ex-wife, Amy McHale, who has been missing since 2016, to the residence. Additionally, two other missing women have been connected to the home: one identified as a 25-year-old woman who has not been named, and another who has yet to be identified.
One video found during the search allegedly shows R.C. Horsch handcuffing a woman to a bed and zip-tying her neck until she lost consciousness. Police identified this woman as Nicole Fusaro.
Authorities have processed only a small portion of the digital evidence. Thousands of videos still require analysis. The FBI is assisting as investigators work to corroborate their findings and gather physical evidence to determine the next steps in the case.