Man Accused of Digging Up Over 100 Bodies and Trying to Sell Human Skulls on Facebook

Authorities in Pennsylvania say a grave-robbing investigation has exploded into one of the most disturbing crime sprees the state has ever seen. A 34-year-old man is now facing nearly 500 charges after detectives uncovered what officials describe as a “house of horrors” filled with stolen human remains.

The suspect, Jonathan Gerlach of Delaware County, is accused of digging up graves, breaking into mausoleums, and stockpiling more than 100 full or partial sets of human bones. Prosecutors say he may have been attempting to sell some of the remains online.

“It looked like a horror movie come to life,” Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse told reporters. “Detectives walked into something no one should ever have to see.”

Investigators had been watching Mount Moriah Cemetery for months after a sudden rash of grave disturbances. The historic Philadelphia burial ground has long struggled with security issues. Parts of the property are overgrown, unfenced, and easily accessible. Local preservation groups have warned for years that the conditions made the cemetery vulnerable to vandals.

Those warnings proved prophetic.

On January 6, detectives patrolling the grounds spotted a parked vehicle with human bones and skulls “in plain view,” according to a criminal affidavit. Moments later, they saw a man walking out of the cemetery carrying a burlap sack, a crowbar, and digging tools.

“When they stopped him, he immediately admitted he had been robbing graves,” Rouse said. “He told our detectives he believed he had taken around 30 sets of remains. The reality was much worse.”

A search of Gerlach’s home and storage unit reportedly turned up more than 100 sets of human remains. Some were intact skeletons. Others were mummified limbs. Detectives found skulls arranged on shelving, bones hanging from wires, and body parts scattered throughout the property.

“The bones were in various states,” Rouse explained. “Some were clean. Some were partially preserved. Some had medical devices still attached. It was shocking.”

Authorities say they also discovered disturbing posts on social media. Gerlach allegedly participated in a Facebook group titled Human Bones and Skull Selling Group. Members shared photos, buying tips, and prices for human skulls and skeletons.

In one post, Gerlach appeared smiling on a motorcycle while holding a human skull. The caption read: “riding Harley and slinging skulls.”

In another image, he posed at a workbench surrounded by animal carcasses and skeletal remains. One commenter wrote: “This picture hits differently now.”

Detectives are investigating whether any remains were sold online. “We don’t yet know if profit was a motive,” Rouse said. “But the behavior is consistent with trafficking.”

Mount Moriah Cemetery is one of the oldest burial grounds in the region. Established in the 1850s, it once held the remains of Betsy Ross before her body was moved in the 1970s. Veterans from the Revolutionary War through modern conflicts are buried there. Some graves date back nearly 250 years.

“That’s what makes this even more devastating,” Rouse said. “Some of these people lived and died before our country had electricity. And someone dug them up like they were merchandise.”

Investigators were especially shaken after discovering the likely remains of infants.

“We believe some of the bones came from babies only a few months old,” Rouse said quietly. “I grieve for the families who may now wonder if their loved ones were disturbed.”

Gerlach faces 496 charges, including:

• 100 counts of abuse of a corpse
• 100 counts of theft
• 100 counts of receiving stolen property
• 26 counts each of burglary, criminal trespass, intentional desecration of burial sites, and related crimes

Bail is set at 1 million dollars. He is being held at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility.

Officials say identifying the victims will take months. DNA testing will be required in many cases. Some remains may never be matched.

“This is painstaking work,” Rouse said. “We have to figure out who these people are, where they came from, and how many families have been violated. It’s going to take time. And a lot of compassion.”