“While searching the first hard drive, homicide detectives found the images and video of what appeared to be two deceased females.”
Authorities are investigating a case after they found images of two women who appeared to be dead after they went missing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as well as five urns of what are believed to be cremated human remains in the home of a man who was arrested with fake DEA and FBI credentials.
Police said they opened the investigation after they found the two photos in a home in Olney, which linked the two women who disappeared years ago. The investigation is centered around 44-year-old Eugene Horsch, whose home has been the focus of the inquiry since June.
Horsch is in custody on charges related to firearms possession and counterfeit DEA and FBI credentials. As of Wednesday, he is not facing new charges related to finding the photos of the women.
"While searching the first hard drive, homicide detectives found the images and video of what appeared to be two deceased females," Philadelphia Police Inspector Ray Evers said.
The two images were a part of a trove of 600,000 photos and 70,000 files from hard drives that were found in the home. "Based on the video and photo evidence, if the images in the video are real and not altered in any way, based on their review, the M.E. would believe the individuals depicted in the images are deceased," Evers added, per ABC6.
The women in the photos have been identified as Maribel Fresses, who went missing in 2018 at the age of 27, as well as Gabriella Amarando, who went missing in 2012 at 22 years old. "It's dark. It's real dark. What we saw is these two girls alive, there is a period of time, and what appears to us they are deceased," Evers said.
Police said that neither Amarando's nor Fresses' body has been found. Because of that, they cannot be officially declared deceased, but the police informed the families of the findings on Wednesday.
"This is new territory for the homicide unit in Philadelphia. Usually, when we have a homicide investigation, we have a body, we have body parts. This time we do not," Evers said.
The investigation into Horsch began in June when he was found with a fake DEA badge at Sixth and Market streets, police said. The woman he was with had the identification of Blair Tonzelli, another woman who went missing.
Another woman who went missing in 2016, Amy McHale, may also be connected to the home. McHale's daughter, Amanda Stofer, said that McHale was married to Horsch's father. The father, Ray Horsch, died in 2025. Because of those discoveries, that led to 95 search warrants linked to Horsch's home and what was inside. Along with the photo evidence, the investigators have ripped up the sewer line and are looking at 20 containers of unknown substances.
Police said that another search of the home led to finding five urns that are believed to be cremated remains. Zip ties, notes about serial killer Ted Bundy and how to dispose of trash was found in the home.
One neighbor said that Horsch was aloof and kept to himself. "I've only seen people come in and out of there looked like they were on drugs or something," he said. The case remains ongoing.
Libby’s Desk
Commentary and must-reads from Libby’s desk, straight to your inbox.
TPM Newsletter
The Post Millennial’s top stories, delivered to your inbox.
