What we know about the missing women linked to the Eugene Horsch investigation in Philadelphia
1 million images being examined amid investigation into Olney home
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Several missing women have been linked to the sprawling and ongoing investigation centered around 44-year-old Eugene Horsch and his home in the 400 block of W. Chew Avenue in Philadelphia's Olney section.
Horsch was arrested in June. Since then, at least five missing women have been identified as being connected to the case. A sixth woman has not yet been identified.
Here's what we know about the missing women police have identified so far:
Blair Tonzelli
Blair Tonzelli was 35 years old when she went missing in 2023. She was the first woman named in this case.
Police say when Horsch was arrested, he was with a woman in possession of an identification card with Tonzelli's name on it. The woman allegedly told police Eugene Horsch gave her the ID.
Amy McHale
Amy McHale was 44 years old when she was last seen in 2016. Shortly after news broke of Horsch's arrest, her family told Action she was last seen at the W. Chew Avenue house.
McHale had previously been married to Horsch's late father, Raymond, who has also become a central figure in this case.
Gabrielle Amarando and Maribel Fresses
Gabrielle Amarando was 22 years old when she disappeared in 2012.
A childhood friend of Amarando told Action News that loved ones grew increasingly concerned when they stopped hearing from her.
"She was a wonderful soul. She really was," said Ashley Levin. "Drug addiction and mental health can take people to some really terrible places, but that doesn't define that person. Gabby was just, she's so much more than that."
Roughly 14 years later, her family got the confirmation they were looking for.
In August, police said the women were seen in photos and videos recovered during the investigation, in which both are seen alive and then later appearing to be dead.
"Based on the video and photo evidence -- if the images in the video are real and not altered in any way, based on their review -- the M.E. would believe the individuals depicted in the images are deceased," Philadelphia Police Inspector Ray Evers.
Maribel Fresses was the other woman seen in the videos and photos. She 27 when she disappeared in 2018.
While their bodies have not been recovered, investigators did remove more than 20 containers of an unknown substance from what they described as a makeshift laboratory in the basement of the property.
The containers have been sent to a federal laboratory in Chicago for testing.
Nicole Fusaro
Nicole Fusaro was 27 when she disappeared in 2018.
Her cousin, Jonathan Halloran-Koren, told Action News that family members have been meeting with Philadelphia police detectives in connection with the Chew Ave. investigation.
"Nicole was a beautiful, kindhearted woman who deserved so much better than what happened to her. She will forever be loved and missed by her family and friends," Halloran-Koren said.
Where the case stands
Sources told Action News in early September that investigators have recovered video that allegedly shows the father, Raymond Horsch, strangling a woman to death.
That woman has not been named.
Sources tell Action News that the FBI has increased the number of agents assigned to the investigation to help authenticate more than one million images that have been recovered from the home.
Philadelphia police say an update to the case could come as soon as this week. However, no date or time for a news conference has been set.
Eugene Horsch remains in federal custody on firearms charges and Ray Horsch died in 2025.
Since no bodies have been found, none of the women have been declared dead, nor have any charges associated with this disappearances been filed.
Former FBI agent JJ Klaver, who worked in the bureau's Philadelphia division, says without bodies, the case becomes really challenging.
"Because there's no easy source of DNA to match to any potential forensic evidence they find in the house," said Klaver.
The investigation began June 19 after a federal park ranger noticed a black BMW that was parked in an area it was not supposed to be in the 600 block of Market Street on Independence Mall around 8 p.m.
A ranger suspected drug activity and asked the two for identification. That's when the woman allegedly handed over the ID with Tonzelli's name on it.
Police have laucnhed death investigations into the missing women and have executed nearly 100 search warrants on the home and its contents.
Authorities say they have since recovered chemicals, drugs, firearms and ballistic evidence from the property, along with a 55-gallon drum connected to water lines.
Five urns were also discovered in the home, with what are believed to be cremated remains, though investigators have not said whose remains those are.
Investigators have also excavated an underground pipe from in front of the W. Chew Avenue home. Police said in July the pipes would be tested for evidence, but officials declined to provide additional details due to the ongoing investigation.
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Documents obtained by Action News indicate officers also found a handwritten note referencing serial killer Ted Bundy and methods for disposing of trash. The note was unsigned.
Then, in September, police said they were reviewing hundreds of thousands of images and videos recovered from a home. Police said they have been able to track down people seen in the digital evidence, who are still alive. They have been interviewed, though police would not reveal what those people had to say, adding that only a small portion of the digital evidence has been reviewed.
Klaver says a witness coming forward could be the thing that breaks open the case.
The house remains under police guard.
Eugene Horsch was indicted in early July for being a convicted felon in possession of guns, including one with an obliterated serial number, as well as being in possession of fake DEA and FBI credentials.
Detectives are asking anyone who has been inside 417 West Chew Avenue or has information about activity at the property to come forward. Anyone who believes a missing loved one may have a connection to the residence is also urged to contact police.
Anyone with information can call the PPD tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477). To speak directly with a Homicide Unit investigator assigned to the case, call 215-686-3334.
