Five women appear dead in seized images

Philadelphia police and the FBI are reviewing over 1 million photographs and videos from an Olney home. They've isolated images showing five women who appear lifeless, though no bodies have been found.

Home belonged to late pornographer

The house at 417 Chew Avenue belonged to Raymond 'R.C.' Horsch, a pornographer, and his son Eugene Horsch. Police seized the property after finding illegal firearms and drugs in Eugene's car.

Two women identified by name

Maribel Fressess and Gabrielle Amarando were identified in the images. Police described videos showing them alive initially, then appearing deceased. Fressess went missing in 2018, Amarando in 2012.

Three other women remain mostly unknown

Police have identified two of three additional women in the images but declined to release their names. The fifth woman remains completely unidentified. All appear in similarly disturbing footage.

Disturbing 2017 video shows drugging and restraint

One video from 2017 shows R.C. Horsch with a 27-year-old woman. He gives her narcotics and money, then handcuffs her to a bed and places a zip-tie around her neck. She appears lifeless in the footage.

“appears to be lifeless”

Medical examiner says women appear deceased

The Medical Examiner's Office reviewed images of the three additional women and concluded they appear deceased, if the images are authentic and unaltered. Without physical remains, they cannot determine cause or manner of death.

Investigation started with traffic stop

On June 19, a U.S. Park Police ranger stopped Eugene Horsch's black BMW on Market Street. Officers found two illegal firearms, about 8,000 dollars in drugs, and the woman with him had an ID belonging to missing person Blair Tonzelli.

Eugene Horsch falsely claimed to be DEA agent

When stopped, Eugene Horsch produced credentials falsely identifying himself as a Drug Enforcement Administration official. This deception, combined with the weapons and drugs, prompted federal authorities to search his home.

Home contained drug operation and evidence

Police found evidence of a drug grow operation, unidentified chemicals, five urns containing ashes, and numerous hard drives, flash drives, DVRs, computers and phones. The digital devices contained the 1 million images under review.

Multiple missing women connected to address

The Chew Avenue home is now linked to several missing women. Blair Tonzelli disappeared in 2023, Amy McHale vanished in 2016, Maribel Fressess in 2018, and Gabrielle Amarando in 2012. The 27-year-old from the video was also reported missing.

Review is only 30 percent complete

The FBI and Philadelphia police have reviewed about 30 percent of the 1 million images and videos. Investigators have identified 58 individuals total, spoken to 16 people, and have 25 more interviews scheduled.

“The objective here is thoroughness, not simply speed”

Eugene Horsch not yet linked to images

Eugene Horsch is currently in federal custody on weapons and narcotics charges. He has not been linked to any of the pictures or videos at this time, though the images were found in his home.

Police plan to return to home in late September

Officials plan to continue searching the Olney home for evidence in late September. Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said law enforcement will notify neighbors before operations and emphasized there is no threat to the community.