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Animal bones identified as Philadelphia search uncovers waxy decomposition material
Investigators say bones recovered at a Chew Avenue property in Olney were from animals, while excavation uncovered adipocere that requires further testing. The search is part of an investigation involving at least seven missing or unidentified women connected to the home.
Bones recovered last week from a property on Chew Avenue in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood were identified as animal bones, according to sources familiar with the investigation. Investigators also found adipocere, a wax-like substance that can form during decomposition, as they excavated the property.
The discovery does not establish that human remains are present. Adipocere can form in both human and animal remains, and investigators will need additional testing to determine what was found, said Fabio Oldoni, an associate professor and forensic geneticist at Arcadia University.
Oldoni said adipocere may help identify a person, but DNA can be difficult to recover when it has significantly degraded. He also cautioned that DNA evidence can provide investigative leads without establishing when material was deposited or what happened during a crime.
Philadelphia police and the FBI have been searching the property, which belonged to the late Raymond “R.C.” Horsch and his son, Eugene. At least seven missing or unidentified women have been connected to the home, according to authorities.
Last week, investigators used luminol, a chemical that can reveal possible traces of blood not visible to the naked eye. Sources said the test produced a positive reaction, but additional testing is pending. A positive reaction alone does not determine what caused it or when any substance was deposited.
Investigators planned to resume excavating the backyard Wednesday morning and then move to the front yard. Sources said they hoped to complete the excavation by the end of the week.
Retired FBI agent Scott Duffey, who has more than 20 years of experience, said the investigation is likely to take time. He said investigators need evidence that can reliably connect any findings to an identified missing person. Authorities have not said whether Eugene Horsch appears in digital files reviewed as part of the investigation.
Two women have been seen in video appearing to be deceased, Duffey said, but investigators still need evidence to establish what happened. He said key questions remain about who was responsible and who was involved in the events shown.