Horror Movie Come to Life’: Stolen from Cemetery Include Infants, Children, and a Body with Pacemaker Still Attached
A Pennsylvania man accused of stealing and possessing more than 100 sets of human remains is now facing nearly 600 criminal charges.
Jonathan Gerlach, 34, was arrested Tuesday following a months-long investigation into alleged grave robberies at the historic Mount Moriah Cemetery in Yeadon, just southwest of Philadelphia. According to the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, investigators began responding to reports of disturbed and desecrated graves in early November 2025.
Detectives launched a surveillance operation and, roughly two months later, say they caught Gerlach at the cemetery. Authorities allege he was seen leaving the grounds carrying a burlap bag, a crowbar, and other tools. Inside his vehicle, police reported finding multiple bones and skulls in plain view on the back seat.
An affidavit obtained by the Daily Times stated that the burlap bag contained two mummified remains believed to be those of small children, along with three skulls and additional bones.
The investigation expanded after police obtained a search warrant for Gerlach’s home in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. There, authorities said they discovered more than 100 full or partial sets of human remains. Most were skeletal, though some were still decomposing. Police noted that one set of remains still had a pacemaker attached. An additional search of a storage unit allegedly linked to Gerlach uncovered eight more sets of human remains.
According to investigators, Gerlach became a suspect after a vehicle matching his Toyota RAV4 was recorded multiple times near the cemetery throughout November and December 2025. Police also said cell phone data showed his phone pinging towers near Mount Moriah Cemetery beginning on Oct. 31, 2025.
When confronted at the cemetery, authorities said Gerlach surrendered without incident and demonstrated how he allegedly pried open graves using a crowbar. During questioning, police said he admitted to taking 30 sets of remains from Mount Moriah Cemetery. Investigators later returned to the site with Gerlach, where he reportedly identified seven locations from which 15 sets of remains had been removed.
At a Thursday press conference covered by NBC affiliate WCAU, Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse described the discovery as deeply disturbing. He said some of the remains were more than a century old, while others belonged to infants and young children only months old. Rouse said identifying the remains will be a lengthy process.
Authorities are also reviewing Gerlach’s connections to online groups, including one that allegedly involves the sale of human skeletal remains. Investigators believe Gerlach acted alone, though Rouse said a girlfriend lived with him or was present at the home where the remains were found.
“Our hearts go out to every family impacted by this,” Rouse said.
Gerlach is charged with 574 counts, including 100 counts each of abuse of a corpse, theft by unlawful taking, and receiving stolen property; 26 felony burglary counts; and 52 counts each of felony criminal trespass and misdemeanor intentional desecration. He remains in custody on $1 million cash bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 20.
About Post Author
