Bones and skulls spotted inside a car near an abandoned cemetery outside Philadelphia led investigators to a basement filled with human remains, authorities said. Police allege a man stole about 100 sets of remains in a months-long grave robbery spree.
The investigation focused on repeated break-ins at Mount Moriah Cemetery, where at least 26 mausoleums and vaults were forced open since early November. Detectives later searched the home and storage unit of Jonathan Christ Gerlach, 34, and reported finding more than 100 human skulls, long bones, mummified hands and feet, two decomposing torsos, and other body parts.
Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse said the remains were stored in various conditions, with most found in the basement. Jewelry believed to be taken from graves was also recovered, including one case where a pacemaker was still attached.
Police said Gerlach targeted sealed vaults and mausoleums containing older burials at the 1855 cemetery, considered the nation’s largest abandoned burial ground. Investigators linked him to the area through vehicle records and arrested him as he returned to his car carrying a crowbar and a burlap bag containing mummified remains of two children, skulls, and other bones.
Authorities said Gerlach admitted to taking about 30 sets of remains and showed investigators the graves he allegedly robbed.
He was charged with 100 counts each of abuse of a corpse and receiving stolen property, along with multiple other felony charges. Gerlach is being held on $1 million bond.