← NewsAll
100 skulls and human remains recovered near Philadelphia cemetery
Summary
Police reported recovering about 100 skulls and other human remains connected to a string of break-ins at Mount Moriah Cemetery; a suspect is jailed on $1 million bond.
Content
Authorities say remains seen in a vehicle near an abandoned cemetery led investigators to search a home and storage unit in Pennsylvania. The searches followed a monthslong inquiry into repeated break-ins at Mount Moriah Cemetery, where mausoleums and vaults had been forced open. Officials reported recovering roughly 100 sets of human remains and items believed to be linked to graves. A man has been arrested and charged in connection with the case.
Known details:
- Police reported the visible remains in a car prompted the investigation and connected to break-ins at Mount Moriah Cemetery that began in November.
- Investigators said searches of an Ephrata home and a storage unit yielded about 100 human skulls and other human remains, along with items reported as linked to graves.
- Authorities arrested Jonathan Christ Gerlach and charged him with multiple counts, including abuse of a corpse and receiving stolen property; he is jailed on $1 million bond and no court date was listed in the report.
Summary:
The reported discoveries have led to criminal charges and an ongoing investigation into a series of cemetery break-ins. Undetermined at this time.
Sources
Pennsylvania man charged after more than 100 human remains found in his possession
The Guardian1/9/2026, 5:49:50 PMOpen source →
Hundreds of human skulls, infant remains are found in house of horrors
Daily Mail Online1/9/2026, 6:56:23 AMOpen source →
100 skulls and mummified bodies found in a Pennsylvania grave...
Daily Mail Online1/8/2026, 11:02:11 PMOpen source →
