Pennsylvania residents are grappling with a horror they never imagined could happen. What began as minor reports of cemetery disturbances has spiraled into an investigation that has stunned both law enforcement and the community.
According to NBC Philadelphia News, police executed a search warrant at the home of 34-year-old Jonathan Gerlach and found a horrifying collection of 100 human skeletons stored in the residence, with additional remains in a nearby storage unit. The scale of the hoard left authorities scrambling to understand the motive.
The remains were indiscriminate in age and origin. Investigators say Gerlach had taken bones ranging from recently buried children and adults to skeletons more than 200 years old. One skeleton still had a pacemaker attached, highlighting the eerie intimacy of some discoveries.
Haunting Comparison to Infamous Cases
Experts have noted that the behavior recalls a handful of infamous criminals from history. Gerlach’s collection drew unsettling comparisons to Ed Gein, the Wisconsin killer, and John Wayne Gacy, who buried dozens of victims in Illinois. While such cases are rare, they highlight a deeply disturbing impulse to collect human remains.
“He has a demon inside of him for sure,” one commenter writes.
“Ed Gein on steroids,” suggests another.
“This is way beyond disturbing. They live among us,” worries one more.
The investigation began in November 2025, when a local nonprofit reported damage at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania. Surveillance eventually pointed to Gerlach, and police discovered human bones in his vehicle. Searches of his home and storage units revealed the full extent of the grim trove.
Authorities remain uncertain why Gerlach amassed the remains. A Facebook group discovered during the investigation showed him holding a human skull, suggesting either fascination or a potential commercial interest, but no official motive has been confirmed.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Gerlach is currently held at George W. Hill Correctional Facility on a $1 million bond and faces 496 charges, including burglary, criminal trespass, desecration of public sites, and abuse of corpses, among others. His first hearing is scheduled for January 20, 2026, as authorities continue to identify the remains carefully.
For Pennsylvania residents, the case is a chilling reminder that unimaginable horrors can hide behind familiar streets. Authorities are urging anyone with information about missing remains or unusual cemetery activity to come forward.
Dylan Cook 
Kenna Raye 
