Pennsylvania grave robber Jonathan Christ Gerlach stole more than 100 skulls, body parts from cemetery: police

A Gruesome Discovery in Philadelphia: Man Accused of Stealing Human Remains

A shocking discovery in Philadelphia has left authorities and the community reeling after police found a car containing bones and skulls near an abandoned cemetery on the outskirts of the city. This led them to a basement filled with body parts that were allegedly hoarded by a man accused of stealing about 100 sets of human remains.

The arrest of 34-year-old Jonathan Christ Gerlach on Tuesday night marked the culmination of a month-long investigation into break-ins at Mount Moriah Cemetery. At least 26 mausoleums and vaults had been forcibly opened since early November, prompting authorities to take action.

Upon searching Gerlach’s Ephrata home and storage unit, investigators made a chilling discovery – more than 100 human skulls, long bones, mummified hands and feet, two decomposing torsos, and other skeletal items. Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse described the scene, stating that the remains were in various states, some hanging, some pieced together, and some simply skulls on a shelf.

Most of the human remains were found in the basement, along with jewelry believed to be linked to the graves. The authorities also recovered a pacemaker still attached to one set of remains. Gerlach allegedly targeted mausoleums and underground vaults at Mount Moriah Cemetery, the largest abandoned burial ground in the country, according to Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery, which helps maintain the 160-acre landmark.

The investigation into the cemetery break-ins led police to Gerlach, as his vehicle plates showed repeated visits to the area during the period of the burglaries. The break-ins primarily focused on sealed vaults and mausoleums containing older burials, which were smashed open or damaged to access the remains inside.

Gerlach was arrested as he returned to his car with a crowbar, and a search of a burlap bag in his possession revealed the mummified remains of two small children, three skulls, and other bones. He was subsequently charged with 100 counts each of abuse of a corpse and receiving stolen property, as well as multiple counts of desecrating a public monument, desecrating a venerated object, desecrating a historic burial place, burglary, trespassing, and theft.

During questioning, Gerlach admitted to taking around 30 sets of human remains and showed investigators the graves he had stolen from. Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse expressed the difficulty in comprehending the magnitude of the situation, stating, “Given the enormity of what we are looking at and the sheer, utter lack of reasonable explanation, it’s difficult to say right now, at this juncture, exactly what took place. We’re trying to figure it out.”

Gerlach is currently being held on a $1 million bond, and no lawyer is listed in court records. Attempts to reach out for comment were unsuccessful at the time of writing this article. The community is left shocked and disturbed by the heinous crimes allegedly committed by Gerlach, and the investigation continues to uncover the full extent of his actions.