Two of four missing women linked to Philadelphia home believed dead

Philadelphia police believe two of four missing women linked to a home in the Olney neighbourhood are dead. Video evidence from a hard drive found inside the Chew Avenue property led investigators to conclude that Maribel Fresses, last seen in 2018, and Gabrielle Amarando, who disappeared in 2012, are no longer alive. The home came under scrutiny after the June arrest of Eugene Horsch, 44, on federal charges of possessing loaded firearms and fraudulent DEA and FBI identification documents. Horsch has not been charged with any killing.

The case has drawn comparisons to serial killer Gary Heidnik, who kidnapped, tortured and killed women in a North Philadelphia rowhouse in the 1980s. Horsch's late father, Ray 'R.C.' Horsch, who died in 2025, produced snuff films and wrote erotic books with sadomasochistic themes, NBC Philadelphia reported. He was married to Amy McHale, who went missing in 2016. Another woman, Blair Tonzelli, disappeared in 2023; her identification card was found with a woman accompanying Horsch at his arrest.

Investigators have recovered ammunition, narcotics, and a piece of writing referencing serial killer Ted Bundy that mentioned zip ties and killings. No human remains have been found. Eugene Horsch remains in federal custody; his trial is scheduled for September 8, 2026.