FBI returns to Philadelphia 'house of horrors' as journalist recalls interview with 'sociopath' suspected serial killer

Federal agents have joined a massive search of the mysterious home of a suspected serial killer who once described himself in an interview as a 'sociopath.' 

Forensic investigators were seen Monday donning hazmat suits as they combed through the Philadelphia house of horrors that once belonged to adult film maker Raymond 'RC' Horsch, who died last year at the age of 82.

Seven missing women are believed to be connected to the two-story brick house in the historic city's Olney neighborhood, where authorities have found more than one million images and videos allegedly depicting sex, drug use and even at least one snuff film Horsch said he created because he was a 'sociopath.'

Officers have identified at least 58 different alleged victims in the evidence, saying at least five of the women in the videos appear to be lifeless or unconscious.

They include Gabrielle Amarando, Maribel Fresses and Nicole Fusaro, all of whom went missing years ago, sources familiar with the investigation told CBS News.

RC Horsch's ex-wife and another woman tied to him, Blair Tonzelli, also remain missing.

But no bodies have been recovered from the house on West Chew Avenue, where sources told CBS News police are now combing through the flooring, drywall and plaster for any evidence that may tie Horsch to suspected crimes.

Investigators have already removed pieces of the home's interior, guided by what they saw on the disturbing digital evidence, and agents were seen on Monday removing containers and furniture from the home. 

Federal investigators wearing hazmat suits returned to Horsch's Philadelphia home on Monday to search for any evidence linking him to the disappearance of seven women

Suspected serial killer Raymond 'RC' Horsch, who died last year at the age of 82, once described himself in an interview as a 'sociopath'

They have already cleared the first floor, and are scheduled to continue looking for any traces of blood, tissue, hair or fibers at the home on Tuesday, WPVI reports.

As part of the search, investigators will spray luminol – which can reveal traces of blood not visible to the naked eye, law enforcement sources told the outlet. 

If anything is found, it will be taken out of the house to analyze – whether it's furniture, flooring or even drywall.

Next week, heavy equipment will also be brought in to excavate the property. 

When the work is finally completed, neighbors said they want the city to demolish the house of horrors.

'Knock it down, knock it down,' one neighbor told CBS News. 'I think that's going to need [to be] knocked down because there was too much going on.' 

Alexis Velez, a first-year psychology student, also expressed her confidence that there would be some evidence found inside the house tying Horsch to the women's disappearances.

'Without a doubt, there is something in there, human remains or something,' she said. 'I truly think they're going to find something,' she continued, adding: 'It's really crazy.'

Police have discovered more than a million digital images and videos allegedly depicting sex, drug use and even at least one snuff film at Horsch's Philadelphia home

Police said they are preparing to bring 'a lot' of heavy equipment to the house throughout the month of October. An excavator is pictured at the home in July  

Horsch had been known in Philadelphia for his disturbing videos and photos of drug-addled women in sex positions.

His first work, Erotic Memoirs of a Male Chauvinist Pig, was released in 1973.

When he was asked years later why he made the pornographic film, Horsch told WHYY's Peter Crimmins: 'Basically I'm a sociopath, always have been and it was a nice way to express myself.'

He went on to note that the film has scenes and themes of a sort that landed other filmmakers in jail, such as Paul Little – aka Max Hardcore – who was sentenced in 2008 to serve nearly four years in prison for his adult films. 

When Crimmins then asked Horsch whether he was ever arrested for his films, the alleged serial killer replied: 'No, but not for lack of trying.'

'I think the reason I haven't gotten into more trouble with my artwork is simply because it's remained obscure.'

Horsch had been released from prison just six months before that 2014 interview, after being convicted of drug and firearm crimes.

He had previously also spent time in federal prison for counterfeiting currency and had spent the last decade working on an explicit photography project involving women who were experiencing addiction to drugs.

(L-R) Gabrielle Amarando and Maribel Fresses were seen in disturbing evidence collected at Horsch's house. They disappeared in 2021 and 2018 at the ages of 22 and 27, respectively

Other footage collected from the house reportedly showed Horsch strangling Nicole Fusaro, who disappeared in 2018 at the age of 27

Horsch's ex-wife, Amy McHale, also remains missing. No bodies have been uncovered from his home as of yet

'I've been doing a series of still photographs of basically drug-addicted prostitutes and the connotation there is that "Wow, I must get off on drug addiction and prostitution,"' Horsch admitted to Crimmins at the time.

'But at the same time, someone trying to take pictures of starving children in Ethiopia, or wherever they're starving nowadays, the connotation there isn't "Wow, that photographer is into starving children. He must get off on starving children."'

Horsch then went on to claim that his work carried a broader message.

'Society's entire attitude towards sex is what causes problems, and that's what I'm trying to communicate in my artwork, with almost no success whatsoever.'

When Crimmins then asked Horsch at the end of the interview why he thought he was a sociopath, the alleged serial killer replied: 'I think civilization is the biggest evolutionary mistake ever made.

'I like individual human beings, but collectively I think the human race is despicable,' he said, before going on an anti-government diatribe.

'Society is sick and I just don't want to be a part of it.'

Horsch had also previously referred to humans as an 'insignificant life form' in a 230-page manifesto obtained by the New York Post in which he also ranted about racism and climate change. 

In a semi-autobiographical novel, Empathy: The Memoir of an Empathetic Serial Killer, Horsch's protagonist kills a desperate drug addict named Krista that he met in Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood – a blighted district Horsch was known to frequent.

'I am a murderer,' he wrote. 'I crush her trachea. I feel her hyoid crack and collapse. I kiss her tenderly on her lips and eyes. I cry and sob uncontrollably.'

Horsch then goes on to describe in shocking detail how he disposed of the body in a bathtub using lye from a local plumbing supply store and an old plastic scoop.

He further wrote that 'Krista will live longer than most because she will always exist in my [photographs],' according to the Post.

But the investigation into Horsch did not begin until his son, Eugene Horsch, 44, was involved in a traffic stop over the summer. 

The investigation into Horsch began in June, when police pulled over his son, Eugene, 44

A woman in the car with Eugene provided identification for a missing 35-year-old woman named Blair Tonzelli (pictured), who disappeared in 2023. She is still considered missing

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Eugene was inside a vehicle with a woman in an unrestricted area in Independence National Historical Park on June 19, according to a legal complaint reviewed by the Daily Mail. 

When the officer approached the black BMW, he heard the female say something along the lines of 'you're going to hurt me!' as Eugene rolled the window down, the complaint read.

The ranger quickly noticed sores on both of their arms, 'which are common among illegal drug users,' according to the document.

Eugene was holding tweezers and a butane lighter was clearly visible inside the car, the ranger noted.

Based on what he observed, the ranger asked Eugene and the woman to provide identification, according to the complaint.

Records then showed that the woman's ID belonged to a missing person reported out of Philadelphia, which led the officer to ask Eugene to step out of the car, per the complaint.

NBC reports that the ID belonged to Blair Tonzelli, who had been missing since 2023.

The disturbing find led authorities to conduct a search of Eugene and his father's home, where they found the creepy videos and images.

The home also contained at least one illegal gun, ammunition, chemicals, a fake FBI badge, a marijuana growing operation and five urns containing cremated remains, according to police. 

Police have since learned that ten women seen in the videos and photos overdosed and were found in locations across Philadelphia, while 16 other alleged victims were found alive but were 'not very cooperative' and did not want to discuss what occurred inside the home.

Three more refused to speak to investigators at all, and police are now trying to get in contact with 25 other alleged victims they have identified from the evidence. 

In the meantime, Eugene remains behind bars on drug and gun charges as his lawyer said he is upset that the house will be destroyed by the police activity inside.