A 34-year-old man named Jonathan Gerlach has been arrested and charged with stealing over 100 skulls following a disturbing revelation inside a residence. The police discovered bones, mummified hands and feet, decomposing torsos, and various skeletal parts in what they described as a scene resembling a horror movie. Gerlach, a resident of Pennsylvania, is facing more than 500 charges related to the violation of gravesites and mausoleums after law enforcement responded to reports of break-ins at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Yeadon, just outside Philadelphia.
According to Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse, the remains were found in Gerlach’s basement and a separate storage unit. Rouse detailed the gruesome sight that officers encountered, mentioning that the bones were in different conditions, with some hanging, others pieced together, and some simply placed on a shelf.
Authorities allege that Gerlach specifically targeted the 160-acre graveyard, where approximately 150,000 individuals have been laid to rest. The purpose behind Gerlach’s actions with these remains, some dating back centuries, remains unclear.
Notably, some of the recovered skulls and remains belonged to children, including infants who were only a few months old at the time of their passing. Rouse expressed the challenges of identifying the bones, stating that it will take time to determine their origins and quantity.
Additionally, investigators found jewelry believed to be linked to the Pennsylvania cemetery and even recovered a body with a pacemaker. Rouse expressed sympathy for those affected by the situation, particularly families seeking closure regarding their loved ones, including infants among the collected remains.
Gerlach was apprehended by the police as he was leaving the cemetery with a crowbar, leading to his arrest on multiple charges related to theft, receiving stolen property, and abuse of a corpse. The investigation began around Halloween when authorities noticed multiple mausoleums and vaults had been forcibly opened at the cemetery.
Court records indicate that Gerlach faces 300 counts of various offenses, including desecration of a historic burial place and desecration of a public monument.