A months-long investigation into vandalized graves outside Philadelphia took a disturbing turn this week, after authorities say they uncovered more than 100 human remains connected to Jonathan Gerlach, a 34-year-old man from Ephrata, Pennsylvania.
According to Fox News, police were initially tracking a series of break-ins at Mount Moriah Cemetery, a historic burial ground dating back to 1855. Investigators say at least two dozen mausoleums and underground vaults were forced open beginning in early November, with older burials specifically targeted.
The case escalated Tuesday night, January 6, when officers conducting surveillance spotted Gerlach’s vehicle near the cemetery.
According to authorities, bones and skulls were visible inside the car. When Gerlach exited the grounds, police say he was carrying a burlap bag and a crowbar. Inside the bag were mummified remains, including skulls and other bones. He was taken into custody at the scene.
Search warrants later led investigators to Gerlach’s home and a nearby storage unit, where they reported finding more than 100 skulls, long bones, mummified hands and feet, jewelry believed to be taken from graves, and two decomposing torsos. In at least one instance, officials said a pacemaker was still attached to the remains.
“This is an unbelievable scene,” said Tanner Rouse, the Delaware County District Attorney. “Detectives walked into a horror movie come to life… none of them have ever seen anything like this before.”
Rouse added that some of the remains appear to be centuries old, while others are those of infants only months old.
Authorities believe Gerlach focused on sealed vaults and mausoleums, damaging stonework to gain access. Investigators also said license plate data placed his vehicle near the cemetery repeatedly during the period when the break-ins occurred.
Gerlach now faces more than 450 criminal counts, including 100 counts each of abuse of a corpse, theft, and receiving stolen property, along with charges related to desecrating historic burial sites, burglary, trespassing, and vandalism.
Bail was set at $1 million, and an arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 20. No attorney has been listed for him in court records.
Separately, police records show Gerlach was previously charged with retail theft in East Earl Township in October 2025.
The investigation remains ongoing as forensic teams work to identify the remains and determine how many individuals may ultimately be involved.