Authorities have charged a Lancaster County resident in connection with several body thefts from cemeteries in Pennsylvania, including an incident involving human remains found in his home. The suspect, Jonathan Gerlach, is alleged to have committed these thefts in multiple counties, including Delaware and Luzerne, according to prosecutors.
Family’s Discovery Leads to Arrest
Reports emerged when a family friend revealed that Gerlach’s relatives had seen a decomposing body in his basement but were hesitant to contact the police. “They suspect he may be behind the Luzerne County mausoleum robbery, which happened around the same time in early November,” stated the online tip. For more details, read more here.
Gerlach, aged 34, waived his preliminary hearing at the Delaware County Court regarding charges related to thefts from Mount Moriah Cemetery. This cemetery straddles the border between Philadelphia and Delaware County. Investigations are also underway for similar crimes in Plains Township, Luzerne County.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
The Delaware County District Attorney has confirmed that Gerlach will face prosecution not only for the Mount Moriah case but also for the Luzerne County thefts and a separate case in Lancaster County. However, specific charges remain undisclosed.
Currently held at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility, Gerlach is awaiting arraignment scheduled for June 3. His bail is set at $1 million.
Incidents in Plains Township
In November, Plains Township police announced the removal of two bodies from the Good Shepherd Memorial Mausoleum. The mausoleum, located on Westminster Road, had been declared unsafe. Similarities were noted between this incident and the thefts in Southeastern Pennsylvania, particularly in the method of accessing and removing remains from mausoleums.
Among the stolen remains was Mary Cappellini Piga, identified by her great-grandson, a local commissioner. Another body was identified as Leo Terence.
