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Pennsylvania Grave Robbery Case Uncovers Over 100 Human Remains
A disturbing grave robbery investigation in Pennsylvania has shocked both law enforcement and the public after authorities say more than 100 sets of human remains, including skulls, were recovered from a suspect’s home and storage unit. The case, described by prosecutors as a “horror movie come to life,” centers on a historic, long-abandoned cemetery on the outskirts of Philadelphia.
Bones in Plain Sight Led Police to a Basement of Remains
The investigation culminated in the arrest of Jonathan Christ Gerlach, 34, after officers in Pennsylvania spotted bones and skulls visible in the back seat of his car near Mount Moriah Cemetery in Yeadon. Police say Gerlach was taken into custody as he returned to his vehicle carrying a crowbar and a burlap bag containing mummified remains of two small children, along with skulls and other bones.
A subsequent search of Jonathan Christ Gerlach’s home and storage unit in Ephrata, roughly 70 miles west of Philadelphia, revealed a grim scene. Pennsylvania investigators reported finding more than 100 human skulls, long bones, mummified hands and feet, and two decomposing torsos, many stored in a basement. Some remains were assembled, others hung or placed on shelves, according to prosecutors.
Mount Moriah Cemetery Targeted in Months-Long Spree
Authorities allege the remains were stolen from Mount Moriah Cemetery, a 170-year-old burial ground incorporated in 1855 and considered one of the largest abandoned cemeteries in the United States. The 160-acre site is believed to contain around 150,000 graves, including those of veterans, notable local figures, and musicians.
Since early November, police documented at least 26 mausoleums and underground vaults that had been smashed open or damaged. Investigators say Jonathan Christ Gerlach specifically targeted older, sealed burial sites, prying through stonework to access the remains inside.
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“Utterly Horrific”: Prosecutors Detail the Discovery
Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse said the scale of the discovery defies easy explanation. Jewelry believed to be taken from graves was also recovered, including one case where a pacemaker was still attached to remains.
“Detectives walked into a horror movie come to life,” Rouse said, adding that authorities are still working to identify the remains and notify affected families.
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Charges, Bond, and What Comes Next
Gerlach faces hundreds of charges, including abuse of a corpse, receiving stolen property, burglary, trespassing, and desecration of historic burial places. He is currently jailed on $1 million bond, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for January 20. No attorney has been listed for him in court records.
Police are urging families with loved ones buried in mausoleums or underground vaults at Mount Moriah Cemetery to come forward as the investigation continues.
