Cops find more than 100 skeletal remains in Pa. man’s home

A Lancaster County man faces more than 500 charges after investigators say more than 100 human skeletal remains were found in his home.

The arrest of 34-year-old Jonathan Gerlach late Tuesday ended a months-long investigation into a burglary at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Eden, police said. Since early November, at least 26 mausoleums and crypts have been forcibly opened at the cemetery.

Police were investigating the series of break-ins, and an investigator ran Gerlach’s license plate and found he was seen in Eden’s neighborhood multiple times around the time the break-ins occurred. Police say the break-ins have focused on sealed vaults and mausoleums containing older tombs that had been smashed open or stonework damaged to reach the remains inside.

Police said he was arrested while walking back to his car at the 1855 cemetery carrying a crowbar and a burlap bag, in which police found the mummified remains of two children, three skulls and other bones.

Police said Gerlach told investigators he took about 30 human remains and showed them the graves he stole.

Investigators said the arrest led to a search of Gerlach’s home in Ephrata, Lancaster County, where more than 100 skeletons were discovered.

“The other night, detectives walked into a horror movie that came to life. It was an incredible scene,” said Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Ross. “Get it, some of them are 200 years old. Some are obviously much newer, and some have pacemakers.”

Rouse added: “I feel sad for the people who are upset about this, who are going through this, trying to figure out if this is their loved one or their child, because we found the remains of what we believe to be a several-month-old baby among the remains he collected.”

The Delaware County District Attorney held a press conference on January 8, 2026 regarding the cemetery theft.

Police believe the remains were also exhumed from other cemeteries in the area. They are also investigating a Facebook group called “Human Skeleton and Skull Sales Group,” in which Gerlach was tagged and photographed holding the skull.

“Quite simply, detectives have recovered a large number of bones so far, and we’re still trying to piece together who they are, where they came from, and how many bones we’re looking for. It’s going to be quite some time before we get the final answers,” Rouse said.

Authorities said they don’t yet know if any remains were sold or why Gerlach wanted them.

“The remains are scattered across the states,” Rouse explained. “Some are hanging. Some are pieced together, some are skulls on shelves.”

Neighbors were shocked to learn of the allegations.

“This is supposed to be a nice, quaint little town, but here we have people hiding bodies in their homes,” said Kim Hackman of Ephrata.

“I just want to know the motive, like why would someone do this?” asked Connor Barker of Ephrata.

The cemetery is considered the largest abandoned cemetery in the country, according to the Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery, which helps maintain the 160-acre landmark in Eaton with an estimated 150,000 burials.

Eden Police Chief Henry Giamarco called the case one of the most disturbing he has ever seen.

“Rest in peace, it’s definitely something that breaks your heart,” Giamarco said.

Police are working to identify the remains and notify family members.

The full charges against Gerlach include the following:

• Burglary – Not applicable to overnight stays, no one present (F1) – 26 items

• Trespass – Entering Building (F3) – 26 counts

• Trespass – Entering Building (F2) – 26 Counts

• Abuse of Corpses (M2) – 100 times

• Theft by Unlawful Taking (F3) – 100 times

• Receive stolen property (F3) – 100 times

• Intentional desecration of a public monument (M2) – 26 counts

• Intentional desecration of a revered object (M2) – 26 items

• Intentional desecration of historic sites and cemeteries (M1) – 26 counts

• Criminal Mischief – Damage to Property (M3) – 26 Counts

• Provocative Trespasser(S) – 7 counts

He is being held on $1 million bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 20, 2026.

Investigation is still ongoing

The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office urges anyone with additional information to contact Detective Leah Cesanek at 610-623-1500 or Detective Chris Karr at 610-891-4700.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.