A grisly investigation on the outskirts of Philadelphia has led to the arrest of a 34-year-old man accused of stealing roughly 100 sets of human remains from one of the largest abandoned cemeteries in the United States. Authorities say the case, which unfolded over several weeks, exposed extensive damage to historic burial sites and raised troubling questions about motive and oversight at neglected cemeteries.
The arrest followed a series of break-ins at Mount Moriah Cemetery, a sprawling 160-acre burial ground founded in 1855 that is believed to contain about 150,000 graves. Police say dozens of mausoleums and underground vaults were forced open, with remains taken and scattered over time.
How the investigation began
The case first came to light after police spotted bones and skulls in the back seat of a vehicle near an abandoned cemetery area outside Philadelphia. That discovery prompted a deeper investigation into recent burglaries at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania.
Officers say at least 26 mausoleums and vaults had been broken into since early November, many showing smashed stonework or forced entry into sealed burial chambers. The damage appeared to focus on older graves, some dating back more than a century.
Investigators tracked the vehicle’s license plates and found that it had been repeatedly near the cemetery during the time the break-ins occurred, according to police.
What authorities found during the search
After arresting Jonathan Christ Gerlach on Tuesday night, investigators searched his home in Ephrata and a storage unit connected to him. What they found, prosecutors said, was disturbing in both scale and condition.
According to authorities, the search turned up:
- More than 100 human skulls
- Long bones, ribs, and other skeletal remains
- Mummified hands and feet
- Two decomposing torsos
- Jewelry believed to have been taken from graves
- A pacemaker is still attached to one set of remains
Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse said the remains were stored in different ways throughout the basement. Some were partially assembled, while others were displayed or shelved individually.
“They were in various states,” Rouse said. “Some of them were hanging, as it were. Some of them were pieced together, some were just skulls on a shelf.”
Arrest at the cemetery
Police say Gerlach was arrested as he walked back toward his car near the cemetery carrying a crowbar. Officers also recovered a burlap bag that allegedly contained the mummified remains of two small children, three skulls, and additional bones.
Investigators say Gerlach later told them he had taken about 30 sets of remains and even pointed out some of the graves he had targeted. Authorities believe the total number of remains recovered significantly exceeds that figure.
Why Mount Moriah Cemetery was vulnerable
Mount Moriah Cemetery has long struggled with neglect. Though considered the largest abandoned burial ground in the country, it is maintained only in part by volunteer groups such as Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery.
The cemetery’s size, aging infrastructure, and limited security have made it vulnerable to vandalism and theft. Many mausoleums and vaults date back to the 19th and early 20th centuries, making them easier targets once stonework deteriorates.
Consider adding a map or aerial image here showing the size of Mount Moriah Cemetery compared with an average urban cemetery to help readers grasp its scale.
Charges and legal consequences
Gerlach now faces a sweeping list of charges, reflecting both the number of remains involved and the historical nature of the cemetery.
Prosecutors charged him with:
- 100 counts of abuse of a corpse
- 100 counts of receiving stolen property
- Multiple counts of desecrating a public monument
- Desecrating a venerated object
- Desecrating a historic burial place
- Burglary, trespassing, and theft
He is being held on $1 million bond. Court records did not list an attorney for him, and authorities said attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.
Unanswered questions about motive
Despite the scope of the case, investigators say they are still unsure why the remains were taken or what Gerlach planned to do with them.
“Given the enormity of what we are looking at and the sheer, utter lack of reasonable explanation, it’s difficult to say right now exactly what took place,” Rouse said, adding that the investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities have not indicated whether the remains were intended for resale, personal collection, or another purpose. They are also working to identify and return remains to their proper burial sites where possible.
Why the case matters
Beyond the shock factor, the case highlights broader concerns about the protection of historic cemeteries, especially those no longer actively managed. Preservation advocates warn that abandoned burial grounds across the US face similar risks without funding, security, or public awareness.
For readers, consider linking to an internal explainer on cemetery preservation laws or an external source such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation for context on how historic burial sites are protected.
TL;DR
- A Pennsylvania man was arrested for allegedly stealing about 100 sets of human remains from Mount Moriah Cemetery near Philadelphia.
- Police found skulls, bones, mummified body parts, and decomposing torsos in his home and storage unit.
- The cemetery, one of the largest abandoned burial grounds in the US, has suffered repeated break-ins.
- The suspect faces more than 100 felony counts and is being held on $1 million bond.
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