A Pennsylvania resident is now facing a staggering number of charges following the shocking discovery of “over 100 full or partial sets of human and skeletal remains” in his home and a nearby storage unit. The unsettling scene, reminiscent of a “horror movie come to life,” was described by the district attorney as something beyond imagination.
Jonathan Gerlach, aged 34 and from Ephrata, Pennsylvania, was apprehended this week amid an investigation into a series of grave and mausoleum burglaries at Mount Moriah Cemetery, located just outside Philadelphia. This information comes from the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office.
“Detectives walked into a horror movie come to life,” shared District Attorney Tanner Rouse on Thursday. “This is an unbelievable scene. From myself, to the detectives, to the medical examiners currently attempting to piece together what they are examining—none of us have ever encountered anything like this before.”
Rouse further explained that detectives have recovered an immense number of bones and are now tasked with the painstaking process of identifying who they belonged to, where they originated from, and the total count of remains. This daunting task includes identifying remains that range from those of months-old infants to individuals who lived centuries ago.
The arrest of Jonathan Gerlach took place at Mount Moriah Cemetery, on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, January 6, 2025. The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office provided this information, along with a photograph via AP/Google Maps.
The chilling discovery unfolded around 8 p.m. on Tuesday, during police surveillance at Mount Moriah Cemetery. Officers noticed Gerlach’s vehicle, conspicuously containing numerous bones and skulls visible through the back seat window, leading to his immediate arrest.
“Gerlach was then seen exiting the cemetery holding a burlap bag, crowbar and other assorted items. The offender was brought into custody where he admitted to stealing approximately 30 sets of human remains,” it continued.
“Through investigation it is believed that over 100 full or partial sets of human and skeletal remains have been recovered from Gerlach’s home and storage unit in Ephrata. This investigation remains ongoing,” it added.
The Mount Moriah Cemetery on the border of Philadelphia. (Google Maps)
Gerlach was charged with more than 450 counts, including 100 counts each of abuse of corpse, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.
His bail was set at $1 million, with an arraignment hearing scheduled for Jan. 20.
The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office said Jonathan Gerlach was seen exiting Mount Moriah Cemetery this week “holding a burlap bag, crowbar and other assorted items.” (Google Maps)
“I grieve for those who are upset by this, who are going through this, who are trying to figure out if it is in fact one of their loved ones,” Rouse said.
