Authorities in the United States have made a disturbing arrest in connection with a series of grave robberies at a historic cemetery near Philadelphia. A man was taken into custody after being found with a massive collection of human remains, including approximately 100 skulls, mummified body parts, and decomposing torsos.
The Grisly Discovery Near Mount Moriah Cemetery
The case unfolded near the abandoned Mount Moriah Cemetery on the outskirts of Philadelphia. Police officers first grew suspicious when they noticed bones and skulls visible inside a vehicle parked near the burial ground. This observation prompted a deeper investigation.
The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Jonathan Christ Gerlach, was arrested as he returned to his car. He was reportedly carrying a crowbar and a burlap bag. Authorities state the bag contained the mummified remains of two small children, three skulls, and additional bones.
Investigators say Gerlach became a prime suspect after license-plate data showed his vehicle had been repeatedly near the cemetery during the period of the break-ins. Since early November, at least 26 mausoleums and underground vaults at the cemetery had been forcibly opened.
Hundreds of Remains Found in Home and Storage Unit
Following the arrest, searches were conducted at Gerlach's home in Ephrata and a storage unit. What they found was staggering. Prosecutors revealed the recovery of more than 100 human skulls, long bones, mummified hands and feet, and two decomposing torsos. Most of these items were stored in a basement.
Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse described the scene, noting the remains were in varying conditions. Some were intact, others were partially assembled, and some consisted only of skulls placed on shelves. Investigators also recovered jewellery believed to have been taken from the graves. In a particularly grim detail, at least one set of remains still had a pacemaker attached, indicating that not all of the disturbed burials were ancient.
According to police statements, Gerlach told investigators he had taken about 30 sets of human remains and even showed them some of the graves he allegedly targeted. Authorities caution that the total number of recovered remains is still being assessed and could be higher.
Historic Site Targeted and Legal Repercussions
The target of these alleged crimes, Mount Moriah Cemetery, was founded in 1855. It spans roughly 160 acres and is believed to contain around 150,000 graves, making it one of the largest abandoned burial grounds in the country. Police say the suspect focused on sealed vaults and mausoleums, damaging stonework to gain access.
Prosecutors stated the motive remains unclear and they are declining to speculate while the investigation is ongoing. “Given the scale of what we are dealing with, it is difficult at this stage to say exactly why this happened,” District Attorney Rouse said.
Jonathan Christ Gerlach now faces a long list of charges, including:
- 100 counts of abuse of a corpse
- 100 counts of receiving stolen property
- Multiple counts of burglary, theft, and trespassing
- Charges of desecration of a historic burial place and venerated objects
He is being held on a $1 million bond. Court records do not list an attorney representing him at this time.
Authorities have acknowledged that identifying the remains and returning them to their original burial sites will be a lengthy and complex process, given the sheer number involved and the age of many of the graves.
