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Philadelphia investigators uncover concealed safe during search of Olney home
Police and FBI investigators found a safe hidden behind a wall and recovered bones from the backyard of an Olney property linked to seven missing women. Authorities had not determined by Friday whether the bones were human or what, if anything, was inside the safe.
PHILADELPHIA — Police and FBI investigators searching an Olney home tied to seven missing women have found a safe concealed behind a wall and recovered bones from the backyard, according to law enforcement sources.
The search at the Chew Avenue property, which once belonged to Raymond Horsch, has continued for weeks. Authorities are investigating what happened to the women; five are presumed dead, while two others remain missing.
Investigators found the safe earlier this week while removing sections of walls and floors inside the home. Its contents, if any, were not known as of Friday, Oct. 16.
The Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office was called to the property after bones were recovered from the backyard on Thursday, Oct. 15. Officials had not established whether they belonged to a person or an animal.
Joseph Giacalone, a retired NYPD sergeant who is not involved in the investigation, cautioned that bones found during searches can be animal remains. He said investigators were also taking soil samples from different locations and depths to check for chemicals.
Search crews have concentrated much of their work in the backyard and may later move to the front yard. The timing of that work remains uncertain as investigators pursue evidence uncovered during the search.
The discoveries have not established a connection between the safe or the bones and any of the missing women. The investigation is ongoing.