An investigation that began with an illegally parked vehicle in Philadelphia has expanded into a search for answers surrounding five women who police fear may be dead.

The investigation began in June when Philadelphia police encountered 44-year-old Eugene Horsch in a vehicle parked illegally in a space reserved for law enforcement. A woman was sitting in the back seat.

According to a criminal complaint, officers found firearms, drugs, weapons and a fake Drug Enforcement Administration identification card bearing Horsch’s photograph. Authorities said Horsch had never worked for the federal agency.

The woman inside the vehicle was also carrying identification that displayed her photograph but used the name of another woman reported missing.

Police subsequently searched Horsch’s home in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood, where investigators discovered additional weapons and drugs, along with a vast amount of digital material.

Authorities said they recovered more than one million images and thousands of videos from computers, hard drives, cameras, phones and other devices. Some of the material appeared to show women who were unconscious or possibly dead.

Philadelphia police said they are still working to determine whether the disturbing recordings document real crimes or staged scenes. Investigators believe some of the material may have been created by Horsch’s late father, Raymond “RC” Horsch, who was described as an erotic filmmaker whose fictional work included violent themes.

However, police said some newly analyzed footage has raised further concerns. Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore said detectives identified footage that appeared to show a woman being strangled with a zip tie until she appeared lifeless, along with images of two other women who appeared unconscious and injured.

Authorities stressed that they have not yet found physical evidence, DNA or bodies directly confirming that the women depicted in the material were killed.

Five urns believed to contain human remains were also discovered in the basement of the home. Police said three were believed to belong to RC Horsch, his sister and a friend, while the identities of the remains in two other urns have not been established.

Police have publicly identified two of the women feared dead as 26-year-old Maribel Fresses and 27-year-old Gabrielle Amarando. Two other women have been identified but are not being publicly named at the request of their families, while the fifth woman has not yet been identified.

Investigators are also examining connections to Blair Tonzelli, whose identification was found during Horsch’s arrest, and Amy McHale, whose family says she was married to Horsch’s late father.

The FBI is assisting Philadelphia police with the enormous volume of digital evidence. Authorities said approximately 30% of the material has been reviewed so far, with investigators warning that the process cannot be rushed because of the amount and complexity of the evidence.

Police said 58 people have been identified in the images examined so far. Investigators have interviewed 16 people and are attempting to speak with additional individuals who may have information about what occurred at the house.

Horsch remains in federal custody following his arrest on a federal firearm possession charge, as well as local drug and weapons charges. His defense attorney has previously said Horsch plans to plead not guilty.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have emphasized that they must corroborate the digital evidence with additional evidence before determining what happened to the women.

Source: CNN — Five women feared dead in connection to Philadelphia home