A man from Pennsylvania has been taken into custody for allegedly stealing numerous bones, skulls, and other human remains from a historic cemetery.
Authorities in Delaware County, Pennsylvania have brought forth more than 500 criminal allegations against Jonathan Christian Gerlach, aged 34, asserting that he pilfered over 100 human remains from Mount Moriah Cemetery, with some dating back over two centuries. The apprehension of Gerlach on Tuesday followed a gruesome investigation spanning several months into grave-robbing activities at the expansive 200-acre site.
Law enforcement officials disclosed that Gerlach was apprehended in the act of pilfering from a burial site. He was found carrying a burlap bag containing the remains of two infants, three skulls, and other bones. Upon a subsequent search of his residence that evening, authorities uncovered over 100 skeletal remains and an additional eight sets of remains stored in a nearby unit. Police stated that Gerlach had been illegally entering mausoleums and underground vaults.
Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse described the scene as resembling a “horror movie come to life” during a press briefing on Thursday. He emphasized the complexity of identifying the remains due to their varying states, some hanging, some pieced together, and some displayed as skulls. The age range of the remains, spanning from over a century old to more recent, further complicates the identification process.
Yeadon Borough Police Chief Henry Giammarco expressed profound shock at the situation, describing it as one of the most horrific incidents in his 30-year career. He particularly highlighted the distressing sight of an infant’s remains, reflecting on the emotional impact as a father and grandfather.
A visitor to Mount Moriah, Kristy Cole, shared her dismay over the incident, mentioning that her great-grandparents were interred at the cemetery. She expressed a mix of anger and sadness, stating that such treatment of the deceased was unacceptable.
Authorities are currently delving into Gerlach’s online presence. A Facebook group titled “Human Bones and Skull Selling Group” contains posts featuring Gerlach posing with a skull. Reports indicate that one buyer thanked Gerlach for sending them various remains, including those of a teenager, a baboon, and a monkey. An Instagram account under the handle “deadshitdaddy” showcases similar images and hints at the sale of bones.
Gerlach is currently in custody with bail set at $1 million. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 20 in Delaware County, where he faces a total of 574 charges, including abuse of a corpse, theft, intentional desecration of a public monument, and burglary.