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Man charged after over 100 human skeletal remains found in Pennsylvania home
Summary
Police in Pennsylvania arrested a man after investigators found more than 100 human skeletal remains in his home, linked to a series of break-ins at Mount Moriah Cemetery; he faces over 500 charges and is being held on $1-million bail.
Content
A Pennsylvania man was arrested on Jan. 6 after police tied him to a string of break-ins at Mount Moriah Cemetery. Investigators reported that searches of his home and a storage unit uncovered more than 100 human skeletal remains and items believed to have been taken from graves. The arrest followed a months-long inquiry into forced entries at mausoleums and underground vaults at the cemetery. The suspect is being held on $1-million bail and has a preliminary hearing set for Jan. 20.
Known details:
- The suspect is identified as Jonathan Gerlach, 34, and officers arrested him near the cemetery after finding bones visible in a car near the site.
- Authorities reported recovering more than 100 human skeletal remains and items believed to be linked to grave sites during searches of his home and storage unit.
- He faces over 500 charges, including multiple counts related to abuse of a corpse, receiving stolen property, desecration, burglary, trespassing and theft.
- Officials say the investigation is ongoing, including review of social media leads and potential links to other cemeteries; a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 20.
Summary:
Officials say the arrest follows repeated forced entries at Mount Moriah Cemetery, a historic site established in 1855, and investigators are examining whether remains were taken from other locations and whether online groups are involved. The case remains under active investigation and the suspect will next appear at a preliminary hearing on Jan. 20.
