Police in Pennsylvania have described a scene from a 'horror movie' after discovering more than 100 sets of human remains stolen from graves in a case that has shocked the local community.
Basement Filled with Stolen Body Parts
The grim discovery began when officers spotted bones and skulls in plain view in the back seat of a car near an abandoned cemetery. This led them to a home and storage unit in Ephrata, where detectives made a horrific find. The basement was filled with body parts, with remains in various states; some were hanging, others pieced together, and some were simply skulls placed on shelves.
District Attorney Tanner Rouse stated at a press conference on Thursday, 8th January 2026, that detectives had walked into a horror movie come to life. He expressed grief for the families affected, who now face the anguish of potentially identifying their loved ones among the stolen remains.
A String of Cemetery Burglaries Uncovered
The suspect, Jonathan Gerlach, now faces nearly 500 criminal charges in connection with the case. The investigation revealed that at least 26 mausoleums and underground vaults had been forcibly opened at the historic Mount Moriah Cemetery since early November 2025.
Mount Moriah Cemetery, established in 1855, is considered the largest abandoned burial ground in the United States. The 160-acre site in Yeadon is the final resting place for an estimated 150,000 individuals. Authorities were alerted to the desecration by board members of the Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery, a nonprofit group dedicated to preserving the landmark.
Police had been investigating the burglaries when an officer ran Gerlach's vehicle plates and found he had been repeatedly near Yeadon during the period of the crimes. On the evening of 6th January 2026, detectives conducting surveillance saw the suspect's car containing visible bones and skulls. Gerlach was then seen leaving the cemetery carrying a burlap bag, a crowbar, and other items.
Charges and Ongoing Investigation
After being taken into custody, Gerlach admitted to stealing approximately 30 sets of human remains. The charges against him are extensive and include 100 counts each of abuse of a corpse and receiving stolen property. He also faces multiple counts of desecrating a public monument, desecrating a venerated object, desecrating a historic burial place, burglary, trespassing, and theft.
In addition to the human remains, jewellery believed to be taken from the graves was recovered. In one particularly disturbing instance, a pacemaker was still attached to the remains. Gerlach is currently being held on a $1 million bond.
The investigation remains active as police work to identify all of the recovered remains and notify any affected families. Yeadon Police Chief Henry Giammarco said this was the most disturbing case of his career, stating that the violation of the principle of 'rest in peace' tears at the heartstrings of the community.
