Local
Bones found during search of Olney property tied to missing-women investigation
Investigators found bones in the backyard of a West Chew Avenue home under scrutiny in a probe involving Raymond “R.C.” Horsch. Officials have not determined whether the bones are human or connected to the investigation.
Bones discovered Thursday in the backyard of a house at 417 West Chew Avenue in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood are being examined as investigators search the property in connection with a probe involving Raymond “R.C.” Horsch, who died last year.
The Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the property, according to sources close to the investigation. It remains unclear whether the bones are human or animal, and testing is needed to establish their origin and whether they are connected to the case.
Investigators have been searching the yard in layers, digging to a depth of about three feet. They plan to move to the front yard after finishing the backyard, and the search is expected to continue at least through the middle of next week.
The investigation concerns at least seven women connected to Horsch and the house, with some feared dead, according to sources. Horsch is suspected of being a serial killer, but authorities have not publicly established that the newly discovered bones are linked to any of the women.
Richard Marx, a retired FBI supervisory agent who specialized in evidence collection, said involving the medical examiner can be an important step when investigators find material that may be human remains. The examiner can collect it and take it for further examination, he said.
Police sources said investigators found human DNA inside the home earlier this week using luminol, a chemical that can reveal traces of blood. Investigators have also found opossum carcasses near the house and remnants of a brick outhouse in the yard. Chemicals recovered from the home have been sent to laboratories for testing.
Law enforcement sources suspect Horsch used alkaline hydrolysis to dispose of bodies. Horsch described the process in a book in which he called himself an “empathetic serial killer,” according to reporting about the investigation.
Horsch’s son, Eugene, lived at the property before his father’s death. Eugene’s arrest during a traffic stop in June prompted the extensive investigation, according to authorities.