A man, identified as Jonathan Gerlach, 34, has been accused of stealing over 100 skulls following a disturbing revelation inside a residence. The authorities found bones, mummified hands and feet, decomposing torsos, and skeletal parts in what was described as a scene resembling a horror movie. Gerlach, a resident of Pennsylvania, faces over 500 charges related to desecration of gravesites and mausoleums after the discovery at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Yeadon, near Philadelphia.
According to Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse, the remains were located in Gerlach’s basement and a separate storage unit. Rouse detailed the gruesome sight encountered by officers, mentioning that the remains were in various conditions, with some hanging, pieced together, or placed on shelves.
Authorities claim that Gerlach targeted the 160-acre cemetery, where approximately 150,000 individuals have been laid to rest. The purpose behind his collection of these remains, some of which were centuries old, remains unclear. Shockingly, some of the skulls and remains belonged to children, including infants only a few months old when they passed away.
Rouse expressed the challenges of identifying the bones, stating that detectives are still working on determining their origins and the total count. The discovery was likened to a real-life horror movie, with bones ranging from 200-year-old relics to more recent remains, indicating a lengthy investigation ahead.
Additionally, authorities recovered jewelry believed to be linked to the Pennsylvania cemetery, and a body with a pacemaker was found. Rouse empathized with those affected by the situation, particularly individuals trying to confirm if their loved ones, including infants, were among the collected remains.
Gerlach was apprehended as he was leaving the cemetery with a crowbar, leading to his arrest. The investigation commenced around Halloween following reports of multiple mausoleums and vaults being forcibly opened at the cemetery.
Court records show that Gerlach faces charges for theft, receiving stolen property, and abuse of a corpse, totaling 300 counts. Other accusations include desecration of a historic burial place and a public monument.
