{"id":82727,"date":"2026-01-09T21:05:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T21:05:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/82727\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T21:05:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T21:05:09","slug":"man-charged-after-over-100-human-skeletal-remains-found-in-pennsylvania-home-national","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/82727\/","title":{"rendered":"Man charged after over 100 human skeletal remains found in Pennsylvania home – National"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Pennsylvania man has been arrested and is facing more than 500 charges after he was accused of stealing human skulls<\/a> and \u201cnumerous\u201d skeletal remains from an abandoned cemetery on Philadelphia\u2019s outskirts, according to police<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Bones and skulls visible in the back seat of a car near the cemetery led police to the home and storage unit of Jonathan Gerlach, 34, after police had been looking into a string of burglaries.<\/p>\n

Investigators checked Gerlach\u2019s licence plates and found that he had been near the cemetery repeatedly during the period when the burglaries occurred.<\/p>\n

Officers say the Jan. 6 arrest culminated a months-long investigation into break-ins at Mount Moriah Cemetery, where at least 26 mausoleums and vaults had been forced open since early November.<\/p>\n

After searching Gerlach\u2019s home and storage unit, investigators reported finding more than 100 human skulls, long bones, mummified hands and feet, two decomposing torsos and other skeletal items.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThey were in various states. Some of them were hanging, as it were. Some of them were pieced together, some were just skulls on a shelf,\u201d Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse said.<\/p>\n

Most of the findings were in Gerlach\u2019s basement, authorities said. They also recovered jewelry believed to be linked to the graves, and a pacemaker that was still attached.<\/p>\n

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\u201cDetectives walked into a horror movie come to life in that home. It is truly, in the most literal sense of the word, horrific. 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,\u201d Rouse added.<\/p>\n

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Police say Gerlach targeted mausoleums and underground vaults at the cemetery, which was established in 1855. Gerlach was arrested as he walked back toward his car with a crowbar, police said.<\/p>\n

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He also had a burlap bag in which officers found the mummified remains of two small children, three skulls and other bones.<\/p>\n

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Gerlach then told investigators that he took around 30 sets of human remains and showed them the graves he stole from, police said.<\/p>\n

Police believe the remains were also taken from other cemeteries in the region. They are investigating the Human Bones and Skull Selling Group on Facebook, where Gerlach was reportedly tagged and pictured holding a skull.<\/p>\n

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He was charged with 100 counts each of abuse of a corpse and receiving stolen property, along with multiple counts of desecrating a public monument, desecrating a venerated object, desecrating a historic burial place, burglary, trespassing and theft.<\/p>\n

Mount Moriah Cemetery released a statement on its Instagram Stories<\/a> following Gerlach\u2019s arrest, thanking Delaware County District Attorney\u2019s Office, the Yeadon Police Department and the Philadelphia Police Department for \u201ctheir hard work and dedication to this case.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur team has been working alongside all parties involved and will continue to do so throughout the remainder of the investigation. Please direct any specific questions regarding this case to the Delaware County District Attorney\u2019s Office,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMount Moriah is the largest abandoned cemetery in the United States. Its historic grounds are cared for by a dedicated group of approximately 12 volunteers who show up week in and week out to preserve this space.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Gerlach is being held on $1-million bail, and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 20.<\/p>\n

\u2014 With files from The Associated Press<\/p>\n

\n\t\t&copy 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.\t<\/p>\n