Delaware County, Pennsylvania – A Pennsylvania man accused of desecrating a historic cemetery is facing hundreds of criminal charges after investigators uncovered what prosecutors described as “a horror movie come to life” inside his home. The case, first detailed by NBC News, involves the discovery of extensive human remains allegedly stolen from burial sites across the region.
Investigators Discover Hundreds of Human Remains
According to a probable cause affidavit, authorities found more than 100 human skulls, along with numerous long bones, mummified feet, decomposing torsos, and other remains inside the basement of Jonathan Gerlach, 34. Eight additional sets of human remains were also recovered from a storage locker connected to him.
The discovery was confirmed by Tanner Rouse, who said investigators are still working to determine the identities and origins of the remains.
“Detectives have recovered an awful lot of bones at this point, and we are still trying to piece together who they are, where they are from and how many we are looking at,” Rouse said, adding that the process could take significant time.
Some Remains May Be Centuries Old
Prosecutors said it remains unclear what Gerlach intended to do with the remains. Rouse noted that some bones appear to be hundreds of years old, while others are far more recent. One set of remains was found with a pacemaker, indicating modern burial.
Authorities also said they recovered remains believed to belong to months-old infants, a detail Rouse said was particularly distressing for families who may now be questioning whether their loved ones were affected.
“I grieve for those who are upset by this… trying to figure out if it is, in fact, their loved one or their child,” Rouse said.
Arrest Linked to Historic Mount Moriah Cemetery
Gerlach was arrested Tuesday after investigators observed him leaving Mount Moriah Cemetery, a sprawling burial ground that extends from Philadelphia into Yeadon. According to the affidavit, he was carrying a burlap bag when taken into custody.
Inside the bag, police allege they found mummified remains of two small children, three skulls, and additional bones.
Gerlach later admitted to stealing roughly 30 sets of human remains from Mount Moriah, according to court documents.
Hundreds of Criminal Charges Filed
Court records show Gerlach has been charged with 300 counts of theft, receiving stolen property, and abuse of a corpse, along with dozens of additional charges including burglary, criminal mischief, and intentional desecration of a venerated object.
He is currently being held on $1 million cash bail. No attorney has yet been listed to speak on his behalf.
Cemetery’s History and Security Challenges
Mount Moriah Cemetery is a historically significant site. Rohan Hepkins said that figures such as Betsy Ross were once interred there, and soldiers from every U.S. war since the Revolutionary War are buried on the grounds.
Hepkins described the cemetery as an “inviting target” due to its lack of fencing and multiple access points.
From Nov. 7 through Tuesday, investigators documented damage to 26 underground vaults and mausoleums, 25 of which are more than a century old.
Surveillance Leads to Break in the Case
Authorities said they became aware of the crimes after board members from Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery reported repeated grave desecrations.
After identifying Gerlach as a suspect, police conducted surveillance and allegedly watched him leave the cemetery carrying the burlap bag that led to his arrest. A search of his home in Ephrata, about 70 miles away, uncovered the large collection of remains.
Rouse said investigators believe some remains likely came from other cemeteries beyond Mount Moriah, though those locations have not yet been confirmed.
Community Reaction and Ongoing Investigation
In a statement, Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery thanked the district attorney’s office and law enforcement agencies, saying the group worked closely with investigators to bring the case forward.
Officials emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, and identifying the remains — as well as notifying affected families — will take considerable time.
