Investigators also recovered bones from the property as authorities continue examining evidence tied to seven missing women.
PHILADELPHIA, PA — Investigators searching an Olney home linked to seven missing women found a safe concealed behind a wall and recovered bones from the backyard, according to reports citing law enforcement sources. Authorities have not publicly disclosed what, if anything, was inside the safe.
The discoveries are the latest developments in a months-long Philadelphia police and FBI investigation at 417 West Chew Avenue, a property associated with the late Raymond “R.C.” Horsch and his son, Eugene Horsch. Investigators are trying to determine what happened to women connected to the property and whether evidence recovered from the house can establish that crimes occurred there.
The hidden safe was found as investigators removed portions of walls and flooring during an intensive forensic search, NBC10 reported. Separately, bones were recovered from the backyard on Oct. 15, prompting the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office to respond. Authorities said testing was needed to determine whether the bones were human or animal and whether they had any connection to the missing-person investigation. Animal remains had previously been found on the property.
The latest search followed reports that human DNA had been detected in several areas inside the house. Investigators used luminol while examining the property for possible traces of blood, according to CBS News Philadelphia. The DNA was sent for additional testing, and authorities had not publicly announced that it belonged to any of the missing women.
The investigation began after Eugene Horsch, 44, was arrested in June following an encounter with a federal park ranger near Independence National Historical Park. According to court records and police accounts reported by CBS News, officers found firearms, drug-related material and credentials purporting to identify Horsch as a federal drug enforcement agent. A woman who was with him had identification belonging to Blair Tonzelli, who had been reported missing.
That encounter led investigators to the Olney property. Searches there uncovered firearms and ammunition, chemicals, a 55-gallon drum connected to piping, five urns and more than one million digital images and videos, authorities have said. Police later identified dozens of people depicted in the material and began trying to locate and interview them. Investigators have said some of the recovered images and videos appear to show women who were previously reported missing.
Police have publicly linked at least seven missing women to the broader investigation. Five women identified in news reports and police briefings are Gabrielle Amarando, Maribel Fresses, Nicole Fusaro, Amy McHale and Tonzelli. Authorities have said evidence involving several of the women has caused investigators to fear they are dead, but police have repeatedly cautioned that disturbing images alone do not establish what happened to them and that physical evidence is needed to corroborate what the recordings appear to show.
Raymond Horsch lived at the Chew Avenue property before his death in 2025. Investigators have focused heavily on material involving him, including photographs and videos recovered from the residence. Police have said some recordings could depict staged activity while others raised concerns about possible violence. No homicide charge has been filed in connection with the missing women, and investigators have not announced the recovery of a confirmed victim’s remains from the property.
Eugene Horsch remains in custody on charges stemming from the June encounter, including firearms and drug-related allegations. Those charges are separate from the investigation into the missing women, and authorities have not charged him with killing any of them. Police previously said the digital material they reviewed appeared to feature Raymond Horsch but had not shown Eugene Horsch participating in the conduct investigators were examining.
The investigation remains active as forensic specialists analyze evidence recovered from the house and yard. As of Oct. 18, authorities had not publicly identified the bones as human, announced a match between DNA from the property and a missing woman, or disclosed the contents of the concealed safe.
Author note: Last updated October 18, 2026.