Archive · 9 Jan 2026
Man Arrested for Stealing 100 Sets of Human Remains
A man named Jonathan Christ Gerlach was arrested for stealing about 100 sets of human remains from a very old and big cemetery in Philadelphia.
Police found many bones, skulls, and other body parts in his basement and car.
The cemetery is called Mount Moriah and is very large with many graves.
The man had been breaking into sealed vaults and mausoleums to take the remains.
He was caught with a crowbar and a bag full of bones.
The police are still trying to understand why he did this.
He is now in jail with a very high bond.
Jonathan Christ Gerlach, 34, was arrested for stealing approximately 100 sets of human remains from Mount Moriah Cemetery in Yeadon, Philadelphia.
Police found over 100 human skulls, long bones, mummified hands and feet, two decomposing torsos, and other skeletal items in his basement and storage unit.
The cemetery, established in 1855, is considered the country's largest abandoned burial ground with an estimated 150,000 grave sites.
Gerlach was charged with 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 is jailed on $1 million bond, and no lawyer was listed in court records.
- Who
- Jonathan Christ Gerlach, 34
- What
- Stealing and desecrating human remains from a cemetery
- When
- Arrested on Tuesday night, investigation into break-ins since early November
- Where
- Mount Moriah Cemetery, Yeadon, Philadelphia
- Why
- Unknown, authorities are trying to figure out the motive
- Suspect
- Jonathan Christ Gerlach, 34
- Location
- Mount Moriah Cemetery, Yeadon, Philadelphia
- Number of Remains Stolen
- 100 sets
- Charges
- 100 counts each of abuse of a corpse and receiving stolen property, multiple counts of desecrating a public monument, desecrating a venerated object, desecrating a historic burial place, burglary, trespassing, and theft
- Bond
- $1 million
- Investigation Duration
- Monthslong
- Cemetery Age
- Established in 1855
- Cemetery Size
- 160 acres, estimated 150,000 grave sites