Authorities have uncovered bones outside a Philadelphia home tied to an ongoing investigation into the disappearance of at least seven women linked to the late pornographer Raymond 'RC' Horsch, who died in 2023. The discovery follows a multi-agency search of the property at 417 West Chew Ave. in the Olney neighborhood, where investigators have been methodically excavating the backyard and front yard for human remains and other evidence.
Police and federal agents, including the FBI, have conducted extensive searches of the property since early this week, using protective gear, excavators, and forensic tools to examine the site. The Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene on Thursday after the bones were found, though it remains unclear whether they are human or animal remains. Further testing is required to determine their origin and potential connection to the investigation.
Investigators have been sifting through soil in layers, digging down approximately three feet, and have previously used luminol to detect traces of human DNA within the home. Earlier reports indicated that human DNA was found during these searches. The investigation has also uncovered opossum carcasses near the house and the remnants of a brick outhouse in the yard. Authorities have not confirmed whether these findings are directly related to the missing women.
The search is expected to continue until at least the middle of next week, with plans to expand excavations to the front yard once the backyard work is completed. Law enforcement sources have suggested that Horsch may have used a process known as alkaline hydrolysis to dispose of bodies, a method he described in one of his books. Investigators have also previously linked the property to apparent 'snuff' films, ash-filled urns, and other evidence tied to the missing women.
The scale of the operation has drawn attention from experts, including Joseph Giacalone, a retired NYPD sergeant and adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, who noted the unusually high number of crime scene technicians involved in the search. Giacalone stated that the complexity of the investigation likely required such a large team to ensure thorough coverage of potential evidence sites.
The property, which Horsch owned, has been a focal point of the investigation since his death. Authorities have not yet publicly identified any suspects or provided updates on the identities of the missing women, whose cases remain under review by law enforcement agencies.