Pennsylvania authorities announced the arrest of a 34-year-old man on January 8, 2026, after investigators discovered more than 100 sets of human skeletal remains in his home and a storage locker. The case stems from a monthslong investigation into a series of grave robberies at a historic cemetery in the Philadelphia area that drew attention to the theft and desecration of burial sites.
 |
| Police found more than 100 human skeletal remains at a Pennsylvania man’s home. |
Arrest and Graveyard Investigation
Officials said the case began after repeated reports of burglaries and break-ins at Mount Moriah Cemetery, a historic burial ground that spans portions of Philadelphia and the neighboring borough of Yeadon. Law enforcement set up surveillance after receiving multiple complaints from volunteers and cemetery staff about disturbed vaults and mausoleums dating back to late 2025.
On January 6, 2026, authorities arrested Jonathan Gerlach, 34, of Ephrata, Lancaster County, as he exited the cemetery carrying a crowbar and a burlap bag containing human remains, including items believed to belong to children. Police charged him at the scene and subsequently obtained search warrants for his home and a storage locker.
Disturbing Discovery at Residence and Storage Unit
Investigators executing the warrants found an extensive collection of human skeletal remains in both locations associated with Gerlach. Law enforcement described the scene as a deeply disturbing discovery, with more than 100 human skulls and partial skeletons found alongside decomposing torsos, mummified hands and feet, and other bones. Some remains were arranged on shelves or suspended, and personal items from graves, including jewelry and a pacemaker still attached to a body, were also recovered.
Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse said at a press conference that the collection of remains was unlike anything seen by local investigators, outlining the complex and unsettling nature of the evidence uncovered inside the residence.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Gerlach is facing hundreds of charges related to the grave robbing investigation, including burglary, abuse of a corpse, desecration, theft or unlawful taking of venerated objects, and criminal trespassing. Prosecutors allege he illegally entered and ransacked at least 26 mausoleums and underground burial vaults at Mount Moriah Cemetery over a period spanning from late November 2025 through his arrest.
He is currently being held at George W. Hill Correctional Facility on $1 million bail. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for January 20, 2026, where a judge will consider the next steps in the legal process.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Response
Authorities have not yet released whether all of the recovered remains have been identified or whether additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues. Law enforcement agencies said they are working to determine the full scope of the alleged grave robberies and whether other cemeteries were affected.
Community members and cemetery volunteers expressed shock at the extent of the thefts and have called for respectful handling of the remains and thorough investigation. Officials emphasized that identifying affected families and returning remains respectfully is a priority as forensic work continues.
.png)
.png)
