A Shocked Family Faces the Theft of Loved Ones’ Rest
The Prichard family’s peaceful cemetery memories were shattered when five of their nine crypts at a Philadelphia‑area burial ground showed signs of intrusion, and a great‑great‑grandmother’s remains were taken.
Judy Prichard McCleary – “It’s still a crime that hurts people,” she told reporters after a court appearance where the accused surrendered his right to a full hearing. She believes her ancestors’ souls rest in heaven.
The Accused
- Name: Jonathan Gerlach
- Age: 34
- Location: Lancaster County
Gerlach faces around twenty burglary counts. Police allege he stole over a hundred human remains from several Pennsylvania counties and has been linked to other offenses.
Arrest Details
- Date: January
- Location: Near Mount Moriah Cemetery (160‑acre historic plot on the Philadelphia–Yeadon line)
- Evidence: Bones and skulls found in his car’s rear seat. A subsequent search of his home and a storage unit yielded:
- >100 skulls
- Mummified hands & feet
- Jewelry tied to graves
- A pacemaker still attached to a body
Legal Proceedings
- Arraignment: Scheduled for June 3.
- Attorney’s stance: May not appear; declined to comment.
- Physical description in court: Glasses, tight bun, collar‑sized tattoo around his neck.
January Incident
Authorities claim Gerlach returned from the cemetery with:
- A crowbar
- A burlap bag containing remains of two small children, three skulls, and other bones
He allegedly told investigators he had taken about thirty sets of remains and could point to the graves he violated.
The Prichard Mausoleum
- Built: Early 1900s by Judy’s great‑great‑grandfather Jonathan Prichard, an Irish immigrant who became a grocer.
- Significance: Holds the family’s collective burials. The grandfather reportedly moved two children’s bodies into the mausoleum before his own interment and that of other relatives.
Judy McCleary’s Call to Action
“It appalls me that anyone could profit from the dead,” she said.
She hopes the case will spur lawmakers to tighten controls on online sales of body parts, a potential motive in this disturbing series of thefts.
Broader Impact
The incident has drawn widespread media attention and sparked discussions about:
- Respect for the deceased
- Law enforcement priorities
- Ethical implications of body part trafficking
