A Pennsylvania man faces over 200 criminal charges after police discovered more than 100 human skulls, mummified body parts, and decomposing remains in his basement following a months-long investigation into cemetery break-ins that shocked the Philadelphia area.

Arrest Follows Cemetery Break-Ins

Jonathan Christ Gerlach, 34, of Ephrata, Pennsylvania, was arrested Tuesday night near Mount Moriah Cemetery in Yeadon after officers spotted bones and skulls visible in his vehicle’s back seat. Police say Gerlach walked toward his car carrying a crowbar and burlap bag containing mummified remains of two small children, three skulls, and other bones. The arrest concluded an investigation into break-ins at the historic cemetery where at least 26 mausoleums and vaults had been forced open since early November.

Disturbing Discovery In Home Search

Investigators who searched Gerlach’s home and storage unit reported finding more than 100 human skulls, long bones, mummified hands and feet, two decomposing torsos, and other skeletal items throughout the property. Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse described the scene to reporters, stating the remains were in various states of preservation. Some were hanging, some pieced together, and others simply stored on shelves. Officers also recovered jewelry believed stolen from graves, including one instance where a pacemaker remained attached to remains. Gerlach allegedly told investigators he took approximately 30 sets of human remains and showed officers which graves he targeted.

Historic Cemetery Targeted

Police say Gerlach focused on sealed vaults and mausoleums containing older burials at Mount Moriah Cemetery, established in 1855. The 160-acre landmark holds an estimated 150,000 grave sites and is considered the country’s largest abandoned burial ground according to Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery, a volunteer organization that maintains the property. Investigators linked Gerlach to the crimes after checking vehicle plate records showing he traveled near Yeadon repeatedly during the burglary timeframe. The targeted structures had been smashed open or had stonework damaged to access remains inside.

Serious Charges Filed

Gerlach faces 100 counts each of abuse of a corpse and receiving stolen property, along with multiple counts of desecrating a public monument, desecrating a venerated object, desecrating a historic burial place, burglary, trespassing, and theft. He remains jailed on one million dollars bond. No attorney was listed in court records. District Attorney Rouse acknowledged the difficulty in understanding the case, telling reporters that given the enormity of the situation and lack of reasonable explanation, authorities are still working to determine exactly what took place and why.