Forensic psychologist examines R.C. Horsch book that may hold clues in Philadelphia missing women case

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — The investigation into Raymond “R.C.” Horsch and his son has centered on a second search of their Olney home this week, as investigators analyze more than 1 million digital images recovered in the case.

Attention has also turned to a book written by Horsch, titled ‘Empathy: The Autobiography of a Caring, Compassionate, Empathetic Serial Killer.’

Horsch said the work is fictional. However, a forensic psychologist who studies the writings of serial killers said the book could provide investigators with clues and circumstantial evidence.

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

The book’s cover depicts Horsch covered in blood and appearing younger than in recent photographs, with black hair.

Inside, the narrative presents a character who kills under what he views as circumstances of mercy and kindness.

“It’s a lot of pornography; it’s repetitive, there’s no structure,” said Katherine Ramsland, a DeSales University professor of forensic psychology.

Ramsland said the book portrays Horsch as someone who would kill troubled women he brought to his Chew Avenue home to photograph and create violent pornography.

Investigators returned to a home in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood as part of an ongoing search connected to seven missing or unidentified women.

“He doesn’t really describe tortures. He doesn’t describe captivity. It isn’t as depraved as a lot of manuscripts I’ve looked at,” Ramsland said.

Although the book is partly described as a confession of a serial killer, Ramsland noted it details only one killing.

“It’s not really a confession of a serial killer like we’ve seen with others, where they’re going through quite a few murders and talking about them,” she said.

In Chapter 45, the book recounts the killing of a woman identified as Krista.

“He describes her deterioration and why this is kindness to her and how he ended up doing this during a sexual encounter that would actually make her death ecstatic to her,” Ramsland said.

Woman recalls 2012 encounter with father, son linked to Olney investigation

Investigators have said they recovered a video that appears to show Horsch killing a woman by strangulation.

“At some point during this, using a channel lock tool of some kind, he puts zip ties around her neck and she becomes unconscious and appears lifeless,” Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said.

Sources also told the Investigative Team that investigators have a video that appears to show Horsch attempting to strangle a woman with her necklace before it broke.

The woman was later found alive. Seven missing or unidentified women have been linked to the home.

The home in Philadelphia’s Olney section is linked to several missing women, investigators say

“He sets up in the book that they could get on a bus and disappear. That’s what happens to these women. They have nowhere to go, and no one’s attached to them, and they just vanish,” Ramsland said.

Investigators are also examining passages in the book describing the use of plumbing chemicals to rapidly decompose Krista’s body in a tub before disposing of the remains in a storm drain.

Police said they recovered 21 containers from the home. Sources said the containers hold an oily sludge that is being analyzed at a forensic laboratory.

According to investigators, the substance could be significant to the case. If DNA is found in the containers, it could provide physical evidence supporting descriptions contained in the book.

“We have had convictions where the piece of writing from that person, the murderer or serial killer helped the case, but only after you have physical evidence,” Ramsland said.

Ramsland said the writing alone would not be enough to secure a conviction.

However, R.C. Horsch is dead, shifting the focus of the investigation toward providing answers for the families of missing women and determining whether his son played any role.

Sources said investigators so far have found no indication that his son, Eugene Horsch, was involved. He remains jailed on federal gun charges.

“We’ve only just begun to hear what might be going on here,” Ramsland said.

It remains unclear when laboratory testing of the material recovered from the containers will be completed.

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