Missing woman's roommate recalls time inside Horsch's Philadelphia home: 'It smelled like ammonia' - Pennsylvania News Beep

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A woman who spent time inside the Chew Avenue home in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood says the property was long frequented by vulnerable women, including her former roommate, who is among those missing.

Marybeth, who asked that her last name not be used, said she visited the home several times over the years.

But she said her experiences were limited compared to her roommate, Blair Tonzelli, who she said stayed there for days at a time and has since disappeared.

Marybeth told investigative reporter Chad Pradelli that she has lived on the streets of Kensington for more than a decade among other vulnerable women.

She recalled seeing Raymond ‘R.C.’ Horsch parked near Harrowgate Park or by a vacant lot, where she spoke exclusively to Action News.

“They actively used these streets as a hunting ground,” Marybeth said about R.C. Horsch and his son Eugene.

Police are reviewing thousands of pages of writings, manuscripts and drawings by Raymond ‘R.C.’ Horsch as part of an ongoing investigation, authorities said.

She said they took her to the Chew Avenue home multiple times.

“It smelled like ammonia, like maybe they peed on the floor. I don’t know,” she recalled.

Inside, she said there was a constant flow of men and women.

She said the men drank coffee – something Horsch referenced in his self-described fictional autobiography Empathy.

She acknowledged using drugs there and performing sex acts but declined to elaborate.

When asked whether Horsch was ever violent toward her, she said, “Oh sure.”

“Ray did?” Pradelli asked.

“Yeah,” said Marybeth.

“With your consent?” asked Pradelli.

“That’s the thing, you do it, and afterwards it’s part of the act,” she said.

Marybeth said Tonzelli visited the home far more frequently than she did.

“Blair would go for days at a time,” she recalled. “It wasn’t unusual for her to be gone for three days at a stretch.”

She said Tonzelli often returned emotionless, but she remembered her fondly: “She was introverted, beautiful, sarcastic, laughter.”

The two lived together on the 1800 block of East Wensley Street, just off Kensington Avenue.

Marybeth said she moved out years before Tonzelli went missing in 2023.

Though she is not closely following the investigation, she said she hopes families of the missing women find closure.

“I think the father was the true perpetrator, and I think the son was dysfunctional, making his dad proud.”

Police are expected to conduct another search of Horsch’s home. They have also circulated a flyer to neighbors and business owners announcing a community meeting scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m.

To read more on the Horsch Case, click here.

Missing woman’s roommate recalls time inside Horsch’s Philadelphia home: ‘It smelled like ammonia’

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