Philadelphia police say they have opened a death investigation after reviewing hundreds of thousands of images and videos recovered from a home in Olney, linking two women who disappeared years ago to the case.
The development marks a major escalation in an investigation centered on 44-year-old Eugene Horsch, whose home on the 400 block of West Chew Avenue has been the focus of an extensive police inquiry since June.
Horsch remains in custody on charges related to possessing firearms and counterfeit DEA and FBI credentials. As of Wednesday, authorities said he was not facing any new charges.
During a briefing Wednesday, authorities described the investigation as complex and ongoing. Police said homicide detectives reviewing digital evidence recovered from the home found images and videos appearing to show two deceased women.
"While searching the first hard drive, homicide detectives found the images and video of what appeared to be two deceased females," said Philadelphia Police Inspector Ray Evers.
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According to police, investigators have recovered approximately 600,000 images and 70,000 videos from hard drives found at the residence.
"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 said.
Police identified the women as Maribel Fresses, who disappeared in 2018 at age 27, and Gabriella Amarando, who disappeared in 2012 at age 22.
"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.
Authorities said neither woman's body has been found, meaning they cannot officially be declared dead. Despite that, police said they felt obligated to notify the families, which they did Wednesday morning.
"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.
Police were also able to track down people seen in those videos who are still alive. They have been interviewed, though police would not reveal what those people had to say.
Investigators say only a small portion of the digital evidence has been reviewed.
The investigation began on June 19, when Horsch was found with a fake DEA badge at Sixth and Market streets, according to police. Investigators said a woman with him was carrying the identification of Blair Tonzelli, another woman who had disappeared.
Amy McHale, who disappeared in 2016, may also be connected to the home. Her daughter, Amanda Stofer, told Action News that McHale was married to Horsch's father, Ray Horsch, and Stofer said her mother was last seen at the West Chew Ave. home.
Police said those discoveries led to 95 search warrants involving Horsch's home and its contents. Investigators also removed the property's sewer line last month as part of the inquiry.
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Officials said they are continuing to analyze 20 containers of unknown substances, along with the remaining images and videos recovered from the home, including footage that appears to show the two women deceased.
Police also said on Wednesday that a search of the home turned up five urns with what are believed to be cremated remains, though investigators have not said whose remains those are.
The house remains under police guard, and investigators will be re-examining some parts of it.
Detectives are asking anyone who has been inside 417 West Chew Avenue or has information about activity at the property to come forward. Anyone who believes a missing loved one may have a connection to the residence is also urged to contact police.
Anyone with information can call the PPD tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477). To speak directly with a Homicide Unit investigator assigned to the case, call 215-686-3334.
Neighbors in Olney told Action News they are shocked by this latest update and can't believe what might have unfolded inside these walls.
"It's crazy. It's really crazy. It's bad," one neighbor said.
People who live on this quiet stretch of West Chew Avenue told us off camera that they're growing tired of the constant police presence, which is only expected to ramp up as the case pivots to a death investigation.
One neighbor said Horsch always kept to himself.
"I've only seen people come in and out of there looked like they were on drugs or something," the neighbor said.
Outside the home Wednesday afternoon, a cruiser still holds the scene as investigators aren't done with their work here.