Suspected Serial Killer's Home Yields Disturbing Snuff Film, Police Say
Investigators found evidence of a 'house of horrors' linked to at least seven women, including a film appearing to show a woman's suffocation.
Philadelphia police have identified Raymond 'RC' Horsch, who died last year at 82, as a suspected serial killer after discovering a trove of disturbing evidence in his home, including a video that appears to show him suffocating a woman. The investigation into Horsch's property has linked him to seven women who are either dead or missing.
Investigators uncovered a disturbing video depicting what appears to be Horsch strangling a woman. According to Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore, Horsch used two cameras to film the act. The woman in the video has been identified by her family as Nicole Fusaro, who went missing in 2018 at the age of 27. Police stated that Fusaro was seen using drugs before Horsch, who was naked, handcuffed her to a bed and used a zip-tie to suffocate her.
Fusaro's cousin, Jonathan Halloran-Koren, told WPVI that the family has been cooperating with Philadelphia police detectives. "Nicole was a beautiful, kindhearted woman who deserved so much better than what happened to her," Halloran-Koren said.
A total of five women connected to Horsch's residence are believed to be dead, and two others remain unaccounted for. Authorities have not yet recovered any of the women's bodies. Inside the home, officers also found over a million digital images and videos, identifying 58 potential victims. At least four women appeared lifeless or unconscious in the videos, and 10 others seemingly overdosed, police reported. Gabrielle Amarando, Maribel Fresses, and Nicole Fusaro have been identified as women who appeared unresponsive in the videos, according to CBS News. Horsch's ex-wife, Amy McHale, and another woman, Blair Tonzelli, are among those still missing.
An additional 16 individuals featured in the recovered media were found alive but were reportedly uncooperative with investigators. Three refused to speak with police altogether. The Philadelphia Police Department and the FBI are attempting to interview 25 other individuals identified from the extensive collection of media.
The investigation was prompted after a federal park ranger encountered Eugene Horsch, Raymond Horsch's son, in Independence National Historical Park. The ranger observed Eugene and a woman exhibiting signs of drug use in a vehicle. During the interaction, the woman stated, "you're going to hurt me!" The ranger identified the woman as Blair Tonzelli, who had been reported missing.
Eugene Horsch was found to be in possession of illegal firearms and drug paraphernalia. He also had a fraudulent DEA badge. Eugene Horsch has a prior record including drug distribution, aggravated assault, and aggravated assault by vehicle, and is prohibited from possessing firearms. He is currently in federal custody on charges of illegal gun possession and has not entered a plea in that case. His father had a reputation for creating violent pornography and writing books about serial killers.