What began with a parking violation near Independence Hall has grown into one of Philadelphia’s most disturbing investigations, linking an Olney home to at least seven missing women, five of whom police believe are deceased. Philadelphia police and the FBI are continuing a methodical search of 417 West Chew Avenue in the city’s Olney neighborhood, removing electronics and other household items as part of the investigation. June 19: The parking violation The investigation began June 19, 2026, when a National Park Service ranger found Eugene Horsch, 44, parked in a BMW in a restricted area on Sixth Street near Independence Hall. According to court documents, during a search of the vehicle, the park ranger discovered suspected crack cocaine, firearms and a fake DEA credential in the car. An unidentified woman was in the back seat. The investigation began June 19 when a National Park Service ranger found Eugene Horsch, 44, parked in a BMW in a restricted area on Sixth Street near Independence Hall. As the ranger approached, the woman reportedly said something along the lines of, “You’re going to hurt me,” court documents said. Investigators also noted that both Eugene Horsch and the woman had sores consistent with drug misuse, which prompted a larger search. Authorities later determined the woman provided identification belonging to Blair Tonzelli, who has been missing since 2023. The woman was not Tonzelli. While her identity is known to police, her name has never been publicly shared. The discovery prompted investigators to examine Eugene Horsch’s ties to the Chew Avenue property as its owner, police said. June 26: First search of the house Police and FBI agents executed their first search on June 26, 2026. The home had long been associated with Eugene Horsch’s father, Raymond “R.C.” Horsch, a self-described erotic photographer and filmmaker who owned the property before his son. Raymond Horsch died in 2025 at age 82. The home had long been associated with Eugene Horsch’s father, Raymond “R.C.” Horsch, a self-described erotic photographer and filmmaker who owned the property before his son. Raymond Horsch died in 2025 at age 82. Raymond Horsch’s former wife, Amy McHale, disappeared in 2016. During the search, investigators said they recovered ammunition, narcotics, a 55-gallon drum connected to the sewer system and more than one million digital files. Authorities said they found no physical evidence of a homicide during that initial search. Among the items seized was a piece of writing about serial killer Ted Bundy that referenced zip ties and a drum, a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation told NBC10. The note also mentioned killings and “trash that needs to go.” It remains unclear who wrote it. “There were no apparent bodies inside the house,” Philadelphia police Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said at the time. Investigators also noted a network of barrels and hoses in the basement that would later draw additional scrutiny. July 21: Investigators dig up sewer pipes Questions surrounding the home’s basement plumbing system led law enforcement back to the property on July 21, 2026. NBC10 was on scene as an excavator dug up sewer lines connected to the house to determine whether the pipes had any evidentiary value. No apparent human remains were discovered in the pipes, which were sent to a lab for testing, law enforcement sources said. Aug. 12: Police say videos suggest two women are dead On Aug. 12, 2026, Philadelphia police announced that videos recovered from inside the home had led investigators to believe two missing women, Gabrielle Amarando and Maribel Fresses, are deceased. Police did not describe the contents of the videos, but said there was evidence of the women being alive and then deceased. Authorities said both women disappeared during the mid-2010s. Seven missing women are connected to a mystery house in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood, police and the FBI said Wednesday, and investigators now believe five of those women are deceased. Later in August, relatives of Nicole Fusaro, 27, who disappeared in 2018, said police informed them investigators possessed similar videos involving her. While not saying Fusaro’s name, police confirmed the videos’ existence. Police also acknowledged they were facing a massive digital evidence review. “There is thousands and thousands of videos that need to be gone through,” Vanore said at the time. Sept. 16: Two more women linked to the property The investigation expanded again on Sept. 16, 2026, when police and the FBI announced two additional missing women had been connected to the home based on more video analysis. Authorities did not release their names. By then, seven missing women had been linked to the property, and investigators said they believed five of them were deceased. As the case gained national attention, the NBC10 Investigators spoke with women who said they knew Ray Horsch and had spent time inside the home. One described seeing photographs depicting fake blood, handcuffs and scenes that mixed death imagery with erotica. Others recalled unusual conditions inside the property and described a persistent odor. Sept. 28: Investigators return Police and FBI agents returned to the property Sept. 28, 2026, to prepare for another phase of the investigation. NBC10 observed police and FBI agents using drones to photograph the house and property. They also removed trash and other debris. The home had long been associated with Eugene Horsch’s father, Raymond “R.C.” Horsch, a self-described erotic photographer and filmmaker who owned the property before his son. Raymond Horsch died in 2025 at age 82. The activity may have signaled that investigators believed further examination of the home could yield additional evidence. Oct. 5: New search focuses on photos and videos On Oct. 5, 2025, crime scene investigators began removing furniture and other items from inside the house. The work was part of an effort to examine areas visible in photos and videos recovered during the investigation and compare those locations with the physical layout of the home, law enforcement sources said. Police and FBI agents returned to the property Sept. 28 to prepare for another phase of the investigation. NBC10 observed police and FBI agents using drones to photograph the house and property. They also removed trash and other debris. According to law enforcement sources, detectives were planning to remove walls, floorboards and other parts of the structure if evidence uncovered during the investigation gives them reason to do so. Authorities are now expected to bring in heavy equipment as they continue searching the property for evidence and any possible human remains. What’s next? Investigators plan to use heavy machinery to dig up parts of the property beginning Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. They plan to use Luminol inside the home to search for possible DNA evidence, law enforcement sources said. Eugene Horsch’s federal trial is scheduled to begin on March 22, 2027. He faces charges related to alleged fake credentials and firearms stemming from his June arrest. Eugene Horsch does not face any charges connected to the missing women investigation and has not been identified as a suspect. Following his client’s arrest, Eugene Horsch’s attorney, Jerome Brown, said his client had no knowledge of what was in the home’s basement and believed writings recovered from the property that referenced serial killer Ted Bundy belonged to R.C. Horsch. Brown has not responded to repeated requests for comment. Eugene Horsch remains in federal custody. Anyone with information is asked to call Philadelphia police at 215-686-TIPS (8477). To speak directly with a homicide investigator, call 215-686-3334. The NBC10 Investigators can be reached at [email protected] and [email protected]. Philadelphia Oct 6 Investigators remove mirrors, electronics, TV from Olney home during search Philadelphia Oct 4 Digging begins at Olney home tied to at least 7 missing women Olney Oct 2 Police, FBI to return to Philadelphia ‘House of Horrors' for expanded search nbc10 investigators Sep 29 Philadelphia ‘House of Horrors' case may extend to NJ: ‘He would pay them' Philadelphia Sep 22 Eugene Horsch trial delayed amid Philadelphia missing women investigations nbc10 investigators Sep 21 Murder or art? Women linked to Philly ‘House of Horrors' describe R.C. Horsch nbc10 investigators Sep 18 Philadelphia mystery house highlights challenges in finding the missing ...read more read less