A man from Pennsylvania has been taken into custody for allegedly stealing numerous bones, skulls, and other human remains from a historic cemetery.
Authorities in Delaware County, Pennsylvania have revealed more than 500 criminal charges against Jonathan Christian Gerlach, aged 34, accusing him of pilfering over 100 human remains from Mount Moriah Cemetery, some dating back over 200 years. The arrest of Gerlach on Tuesday followed an extensive investigation into grave robbing at the cemetery, which covers more than 200 acres.
Law enforcement officials apprehended Gerlach in the act of stealing from a burial monument, where he was found with a burlap bag containing the remains of two young children, three skulls, and additional bones. Subsequent searches of his residence uncovered over 100 skeletal remains, along with eight more in a nearby storage unit. Authorities stated that Gerlach had been breaking into mausoleums and underground vaults.
During a news briefing on Thursday, Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse described the scene as resembling a “horror movie come to life,” noting that the situation was unprecedented for everyone involved. The remains found were in various states, some “hanging,” others “pieced together,” and some simply “skulls on the shelf,” making identification difficult due to their age ranging from over a century old to more recent, with one still having a pacemaker attached.
Yeadon Borough Police Chief Henry Giammarco expressed his shock at the discovery, calling it one of the most horrific incidents in his 30-year career. He mentioned the emotional impact of finding an infant’s remains, highlighting the importance of respecting the deceased.
A visitor to Mount Moriah, Kristy Cole, shared her dismay as her great-grandparents were interred there, emphasizing that no one should be treated in such a disrespectful manner after death.
Authorities are now investigating Gerlach’s online presence, particularly a Facebook group named “Human Bones and Skull Selling Group,” where posts suggest his involvement in selling human remains. Additionally, an Instagram account under the name deadshitdaddy showcases similar images and implies that some bones were available for purchase.
Gerlach is currently held on a $1 million bail, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for January 20 in Delaware County. He faces a total of 574 charges, including 100 counts of abuse of a corpse, 100 counts of theft, 26 counts of intentional desecration of a public monument, and 26 counts of burglary.
