FBI, Philadelphia police search ‘house of horrors’ linked to 7 missing women

By  and Dan O'Mara
FOX Local
Published October 5, 2026 3:48 PM EDT

FILE - Eugene Horsch's mugshot. (Fox29 Philadelphia)

The Brief

    • Investigators are excavating a Philadelphia home linked to at least seven missing women.
    • Police found disturbing digital evidence, cremated remains and possible chemical evidence inside the house.
    • Eugene Horsch remains jailed while authorities continue searching for forensic evidence.

Investigators have returned to a "house of horrors" in Philadelphia to search for forensic evidence linked to at least seven missing women. 

Horsch house

The backstory:

The investigation into the Horsch home began with the arrest of Eugene Horsch, 44, on weapons and drug charges during a June interaction with police. 

During the arrest, investigators said Eugene and an accomplice gave police a fake government ID with the name of a missing woman on it.

The arrest led police to a home on Chew Avenue in Olney where Eugene lived with his father, Raymond "R.C." Horsch, who died in 2025. 

Raymond was known to produce brutally themed pornography and books.

There, investigators found an avalanche of disturbing evidence, including one million pieces of digital materials that police have since linked to at least seven missing – and possibly deceased – women.

While cremated remains were found inside the home, police have not found any bodies and Eugene has not been charged in any missing persons investigation. 

Expanded investigation

Dig deeper:

Law enforcement agencies from the Philadelphia Police Department and the FBI plan to excavate parts of the property.

The process is expected to last at least two weeks.

Investigators also previously recovered chemical substances and an unknown sludge from a makeshift lab discovered in the basement of the home but are still awaiting the results of lab tests.

Law enforcement sources said part of the investigation will be to determine if wet cremations were done at the house, using chemicals to break down a body.

Local perspective:

Heavy machinery will be brought in to excavate parts of the property, prompting parking restrictions and road closures.

Investigators are also expected to remove flooring, drywall, and furniture from inside the home, law enforcement sources told FOX 29 Philadelphia.

Eugene’s next trial date is scheduled for March 22, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.

He is being held in custody for trial. 

The Source: Information for this article was taken from reporting by FOX 29 Philadelphia and FOX News. This story was reported from San Jose. 

Crime and Public SafetyPennsylvania