Investigators are expected to wrap up excavation efforts at a Philadelphia home tied to seven missing women, five of whom are presumed dead.
After weeks of digging, the excavation work is expected to conclude this week. On Tuesday, staff at the medical examiner’s office said no human remains had been identified at the Chew Avenue property, dubbed the “House of Horrors.” Investigators had discovered bones at the property, but they were later determined to be animal bones.
On Wednesday, investigators dug up a small garden area in front of the property that once belonged to Raymond “R.C.” Horsch, a known snuff filmmaker and erotic photographer. Horsch died in 2025 at age 82.
As of Tuesday, the medical examiner had determined that none of the evidence collected was human, a spokesperson confirmed. A law enforcement source close to the investigation also said no human remains had been located.
Police have said they have video and photo evidence suggesting Horsch might have been involved in the deaths of five women.
Since late September, investigators have searched both inside and outside the home for signs of human remains. During a search inside the home using luminol, a chemical agent that can reveal traces of blood under a special light, detectives located DNA.
Since Raymond Horsch, his son and several other people had lived in the home, the presence of DNA was not unexpected. Detectives were testing the DNA to determine whether it had any evidentiary value in the investigation.
Eugene Horsch, who inherited the property after his father’s death, remained in custody on federal charges involving false credentials and firearms. He faces no charges connected to the missing women. His attorney has told NBC10 that his client had no involvement in the raids or searches at the house.
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.
