Images obtained inside Olney home appeared to show 2 women dead, Philadelphia police say
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Police say images of two women who appear to be dead were among hundreds of thousands of images and videos obtained from devices found inside a home in the Olney section of Philadelphia.
That home, on the 400 block of West Chew Avenue, has been the focus of a major investigation for several months, and police said during a news conference on Wednesday that the investigation will continue for some time.
The owner of the home, 44-year-old Eugene Horsch, has been in custody since June.
The video above is from a previous report.
The women who were seen in the images have been identified, though police said since no bodies have been found they can not yet be declared dead.
However, police publicly named the women after notifying their families.
One of the women was identified as Maribel Fresses, who was born in 1990 and was last seen in February 2018.
The other woman was identified as Gabrielle Amarando, who was born in 1990 and has been missing since September 2012.
Police say they are asking for the public's help as this investigation continues. Anyone with information can call the police tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or call the Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334.
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Officials are expected to give an update Wednesday amid an ongoing investigation at a home on West Chew Avenue in Philadelphia's Olney section.
Investigators will speak at 2 p.m. You can watch it on 6abc, 6abc.com, the 6abc mobile app or wherever you stream Action News.
Last week, federal prosecutors took over the case against 44-year-old Eugene Horsch, who is at the center of an ongoing investigation involving at least two missing women. This came after Philadelphia's district attorney withdrew state charges against Horsch on Thursday.
He has been in federal custody since June after police say they found him with illegal guns and a fake DEA badge.
A woman who was with Horsch had the identification of Blair Tonzelli, a woman who went missing in 2023, police say. Investigators allege that the woman told cops Horsch gave her the ID.
Amy McHale, who disappeared in 2016, may also be connected to the home on West Chew Ave. Her daughter, Amanda Stofer, told Action News that McHale was married to Horsch's father, Ray Horsch, and Stofer said her mother was last seen at the West Chew Ave. home.
Sources said cadaver dogs searched the property in mid-July. The Action Cam captured investigators in protective suits removing test tubes from the residence.
The following week, investigators were seen excavating and removing an underground pipe from in front of the property.
Authorities said the pipe will be examined by Philadelphia police and FBI forensic investigators for any potential evidence.
Earlier searches turned up chemicals, urns, zip ties, and a letter mentioning serial killer Ted Bundy, investigators said.
