Police are examining the writings of a suspected serial killer linked to at least seven missing women after discovering more than a million disturbing digital images and videos at his Philadelphia home. Raymond 'RC' Horsch, who died last year aged 82, self-published a 230-page manifesto titled Worldview: A User's Guide to the Human Brain in 2023.
Manifesto and novels under scrutiny
In the manifesto, obtained by the New York Post, Horsch described humans as an 'insignificant life form', no more impressive than dogs or cockroaches. He wrote: 'Every mention or reference to racial characteristics or race is, by definition and without exception, racist.' He also argued: 'The real solution is to not condemn and exclude, but rather to embrace, value and celebrate difference.'
Horsch described humanity as 'analogous to a cancer' and lamented 'the effects of resource rape, pollution and carbon emission'. He also wrote: 'The ice is not going to stop melting and [the] sea level is not going to stop rising.'
His two novels, published in 2013 and 2014, are also being examined for clues. In Empathy: The Memoir of an Empathetic Serial Killer, the main character kills a woman named Krista, described as having a drug addiction. The character meets her in Philadelphia's Kensington neighbourhood, an area Horsch was known to frequent. The novel describes the character disposing of her body in a bathtub using lye from a plumbing supplier and an old plastic scoop.
Investigation and missing women
Police are preparing a more extensive search of Horsch's home in the city's Olney neighbourhood, with heavy equipment expected at the property during October. Officers have already recovered images and videos allegedly showing sex and drug use, including at least one suspected recording of a killing. Investigators have identified at least 58 women in the images and videos, with at least five appearing lifeless or unconscious.
Police also reported finding an illegal gun, ammunition, chemicals, a fake FBI badge, a cannabis growing operation and five urns containing cremated remains. Gabrielle Amarando, Maribel Fresses and Nicole Fusaro were among those who appeared unconscious in the footage, sources familiar with the investigation told CBS News. All three have been missing for years. Amarando disappeared in 2021 aged 22, while Fresses and Fusaro went missing in 2018, both aged 27. Footage reportedly shows Horsch strangling Fusaro.
Horsch's ex-wife Amy McHale and another woman linked to him, Blair Tonzelli, also remain missing. Ten other women identified in the images and videos reportedly died from overdoses and were found at locations across Philadelphia. Sixteen women have been found alive, although investigators say they have been reluctant to discuss what happened at the house. Three refused to speak to officers, while authorities are trying to contact another 25 women identified in the footage.
Son detained
The investigation began after a park ranger approached a car occupied by Horsch's son Eugene, 44, and a woman on June 19. As the ranger approached, he heard the woman say something along the lines of 'you're going to hurt me!', the complaint says. She handed over identification belonging to a missing person, which NBC reported was Tonzelli, who disappeared in 2023 and remains missing.
Eugene was detained after allegedly reaching beneath the driver's seat, and the ranger said he found two firearms near the car's floor. Previous convictions mean Eugene is banned from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law, according to the complaint. He remains in federal custody on gun possession charges and has not entered a plea. He has not been charged with any offences connected to the missing women.
