Philadelphia 'House of Horrors' Suspect's Manifesto Revealed
Alleged serial killer Raymond 'RC' Horsch detailed 'feminist' views and anti-racism sentiments in a 2023 manifesto, alongside fictional accounts of murder.
An alleged serial killer connected to the disappearance of at least seven women in Philadelphia wrote a lengthy manifesto in which he espoused feminist and anti-racist views, while also detailing fictional murders in semi-autobiographical novels. Raymond 'RC' Horsch, who died last year at age 82, published "Worldview: A User's Guide to the Human Brain" in 2023.
In the 230-page book, Horsch referred to humanity as an "insignificant life form" and dedicated a chapter to eradicating racism, stating that "every mention or reference to racial characteristics or race is, by definition and without exception, racist." He advocated for celebrating diversity in all its forms, including race, ethnic heritage, gender, thought, and intellect.
Horsch also addressed climate change in his manifesto, describing humanity as a "cancer" and lamenting the "effects of resource rape, pollution and carbon emission." He expressed concern over rising sea levels and the impact of waste and plastic on ocean oxygen levels, which he believed were causing irreversible extinctions and ecosystem loss.
Beyond his manifesto, Horsch released two novels in 2013 and 2014 that police are examining for clues related to his alleged crimes. In "Empathy: The Memoir of an Empathetic Serial Killer," the protagonist, mirroring Horsch's writings, describes killing a woman named Krista and disposing of her body. The narrative includes graphic details of the act and the subsequent dismemberment.
The novel also contains a passage where the protagonist hints at killing his own mother by suffocating her with a hospital pillow. It remains unclear if this fictional account reflects a real event.
Philadelphia police are preparing to conduct an extensive search of Horsch's home, described as a "house of horrors," where they have already discovered over a million digital images and videos. These files reportedly depict sexual activity, drug use, and at least one snuff film. Authorities identified at least 58 alleged victims in the collected evidence, with at least five women appearing lifeless or unconscious in the videos.
The residence also contained an illegal firearm, ammunition, chemicals, a fake FBI badge, a marijuana cultivation setup, and five urns with cremated remains. Among those seen unconscious in the recovered footage were Gabrielle Amarando, Maribel Fresses, and Nicole Fusaro, all of whom were reported missing in previous years. Horsch's ex-wife, Amy McHale, and another associate, Blair Tonzelli, are also among the missing.
Ten other individuals in the evidence reportedly died of overdoses in various Philadelphia locations, while 16 others were found alive but were reportedly uncooperative with investigators. Authorities are working to contact an additional 25 identified potential victims.
The investigation into Horsch began in June following a traffic stop involving his son, Eugene Horsch, 44. During the stop in Independence National Historical Park, officers found Eugene with a woman whose identification revealed she was Blair Tonzelli, a missing person. Eugene Horsch was found to be in possession of a glass drug pipe, a switchblade, and two firearms, and was carrying a phony DEA badge under a different name. He is currently in federal custody on illegal gun possession charges and has not been charged in connection with the missing women.