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Ephrata man accused of stealing human remains appears in court
Jonathan Gerlach faces 496 felony and misdemeanor charges for stealing over 100 human skeletons from mausoleums and graves, with investigations covering multiple counties.
- With a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 13, 2026, Gerlach, 34, of Ephrata Borough, faces 496 charges; it was waived for three weeks in Delaware County courtroom.
- Investigators focused on Gerlach after patrol and tip leads as police say a string of mausoleum and crypt thefts began November 7, 2025, and continued through January 6, 2026, prompting stepped-up patrols.
- On Jan. 6, Delaware County investigators say Gerlach left Mount Moriah Cemetery carrying a burlap bag containing two mummified small-child remains, three skulls and other bones and was arrested after surveillance by Yeadon police detectives.
- Friends of Mount Moriah are raising funds for security upgrades, with Giammarco saying, 'These were people's loved ones to be disturbed, and what happened to them is just horrific.'
- State authorities, including the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, are investigating after searches of Gerlach's Ephrata home and storage unit recovered 100 human skeletons and eight remains, with Gerlach held at Delaware County Prison on $1 million bail.
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Yeadon cemetery grave robbery case continued as officials push for new laws
Police allege Gerlach rappelled into mausoleums at the cemetery, stole human remains, and sold some of them online. He is charged with more than 500 counts, including burglary and abuse of corpse.
·Philadelphia, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left3Leaning Right2Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution55% Center
Bias Distribution
- 55% of the sources are Center
55% Center
L 27%
C 55%
R 18%
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