Residents in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, are reeling after authorities uncovered a horrifying collection of human remains, including more than 100 skulls and infant bones, inside the home of a local man.
The discovery has left neighbors and officials alike describing the scene as something straight out of a horror movie.
The Man Behind the Macabre Collection
Jonathan Gerlach, 34, is at the center of this disturbing case.
He faces over 500 criminal charges related to the alleged theft and desecration of graves and mausoleums.
Authorities say his macabre activity may have started around Halloween, turning what should be sacred resting places into a source of fear and outrage.
Bones, Skulls, and Storage Secrets
According to Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse, Gerlach reportedly collected a wide array of human remains, including skulls, long bones, mummified feet, and decomposing torsos.
These were found stored in his basement and a separate storage locker.
“Detectives walked into a horror movie come to life,” Rouse said, emphasizing the sheer scale of the discovery.
Some of the remains date back 200 years, while others appear much more recent.
Infant Remains Among the Collection
The investigation revealed that several of the bones belonged to infants, some believed to have been only months old at the time of death.
At least one corpse was discovered with a pacemaker still intact.
Rouse expressed sympathy for families who might be affected: “I grieve for those who are trying to figure out if these remains are their loved ones or children.
Some were hanging, some pieced together, and some were simply skulls on shelves.”
How the Investigation Unfolded
Gerlach’s arrest came after months of investigating break-ins at Mount Moriah Cemetery, where at least 26 mausoleums and vaults had been tampered with.
Police traced him after spotting bones in a car parked near an abandoned cemetery on the outskirts of Philadelphia.
When officers apprehended him, he was carrying a crowbar and a burlap bag containing mummified remains of two children, three skulls, and other bones.
Confession and Charges
Gerlach admitted to authorities that he had taken about 30 sets of human remains and even guided them to the graves from which he had stolen them.
He now faces 100 counts each of abuse of a corpse and receiving stolen property, along with multiple counts of desecrating public monuments, venerated objects, and historic burial places.
Additional charges include burglary, trespassing, theft, and criminal mischief.
He is being held on a $1 million bond, and no attorney has been listed for him in court records.
Social Media Connection and Community Reaction
Authorities also discovered Gerlach was allegedly part of a Facebook group called “Human Bones and Skull Selling Group,” where he was pictured with a skull.
It is unclear whether any remains were sold.
Yeadon Police Chief Henry Giammarco described the case as one of the most disturbing he has encountered in his career: “Rest in peace is rest in peace, and this is definitely something that tears at your heartstrings.”
What Comes Next
As investigators continue to identify the remains and trace their origins, families, officials, and the community face the long and difficult process of seeking closure.
Authorities say it could take considerable time to fully account for every piece of human tissue and understand the scope of Gerlach’s crimes.
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