In a chilling case that has gripped the region, a Lancaster County man finds himself embroiled in a series of allegations involving grave robberies and the illicit trade of human remains. The suspect, Jonathan Gerlach, is accused of pilfering bodies from cemeteries across Pennsylvania, with investigations expanding to include thefts from Luzerne County.
Authorities allege that Gerlach, aged 34, has illegally removed human remains from at least 30 individuals interred at Mount Moriah Cemetery, a site located on the border between Philadelphia and Delaware County.
The investigation took a significant turn when Delaware County investigators, in pursuit of a search warrant for Gerlach’s residence, cited a tip received by Lancaster City police. The tip, ominously titled “corpse in basement,” linked Gerlach to the Luzerne County mausoleum robbery.
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Back in November, Plains Township police launched an investigation into the disappearance of two bodies from the deteriorating Good Shepherd Memorial Mausoleum on Westminster Road, an event that occurred between November 1st and 6th.
The affidavit presented by detectives highlights the resemblance in methods used in both the Southeastern Pennsylvania and Plains Township cases, particularly in breaking into mausoleums and removing remains.
One of the bodies taken from Good Shepherd was identified as Mary Cappellini Piga, a fact confirmed by her great-grandson, Plains Township Commissioner Peter Biscontini. Vince Cappellini, her grandson, expressed his distress over the theft in an interview with Newsweek. The other individual was identified as Leo Terence.
Gerlach faces multiple charges including burglary, breaking and entering, and abuse of a corpse in Lancaster and Delaware counties. However, as of yet, no charges have been filed concerning the Good Shepherd theft.
Police: Family friend found corpse in basement
The affidavit indicates that a tipster informed police about a family friend who had witnessed a decomposing body in Gerlach’s basement. “They suspect he may be behind the Luzerne County mausoleum robbery, which happened around the same time in early November,” the tip revealed.
Upon interviewing the informant, police learned that the body had been seen “hanging like a display” in Gerlach’s basement. The tip also mentioned Gerlach’s unexplained absence in November, during which he allegedly claimed to have been “in Chicago selling a human skull.”
Alleged body parts sales
Further investigations uncovered Gerlach’s involvement with a Facebook group dedicated to the sale of human bones and skulls. A post from Gerlach on this platform mentioned acquiring “a possible teen now in the collection and a baboon and monkey that was part a human skin bag thanks,” the affidavit noted.
Additionally, police discovered Gerlach’s CashApp account, featuring a profile image of a person holding a skull. CashApp is a digital service used for money transactions.
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Police: Gerlach confessed to taking Mount Moriah bones
On the evening of January 6, police discovered Gerlach’s car parked near the cemetery, with several bones and skulls visible inside. Detectives observed Gerlach leaving the cemetery and returning to his vehicle with a burlap bag and various tools.
After being detained, Gerlach confessed to police that he had removed bones from Mount Moriah Cemetery graves, admitting to the theft of approximately 30 sets of remains. He acknowledged selling some remains online, though most were reportedly stored in his basement.
A search of Gerlach’s home revealed over a hundred skulls and bones, alongside mummified body parts and personal items believed to have been taken from graves. Further remains, including ashes, were found in a storage unit owned by Gerlach.
As part of the ongoing investigation, police collected various items from the crime scenes, such as tools and personal effects, which have been sent to a state lab for analysis.
Gerlach is currently held at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility in Delaware County under a $1 million bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for January 20 before the Delaware County Magisterial District Judge W. Keith Williams II.
