Yeadon Cemetery Grave Robbery Case Continued as Officials Push for New Laws

Police allege a man rappelled into mausoleums, stole human remains, and sold some online.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 9:18pm

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The preliminary hearing for Jonathan Gerlach, a 34-year-old man accused of stealing and selling human remains from a historic Delaware County cemetery, was continued again on Friday. Yeadon Police Chief Henry Giammarco spoke outside the courthouse, calling for changes to state law to make the sale of body parts illegal. Gerlach is charged with more than 500 counts, including burglary and abuse of corpse, after allegedly rappelling into mausoleums at Mount Moriah Cemetery and stealing human remains that he then sold online.

Why it matters

The case has deeply impacted the local community, with one victim's relative saying it has changed how she thinks about her own final arrangements. Authorities are now working with state lawmakers to enact new laws to deter and prevent such crimes in the future and restore the sanctity of cemeteries as final resting places.

The details

Police allege that over several months, Gerlach broke into mausoleums at Mount Moriah Cemetery, stole human remains, and sold some of them online. He is charged with more than 500 counts, including burglary and abuse of corpse. The preliminary hearing was continued at the request of the public defender, though the reason for the delay is unclear.

  • The preliminary hearing for Jonathan Gerlach was continued on Friday, March 13, 2026.
  • Gerlach's alleged crimes occurred over several months at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Yeadon, Pennsylvania.

The players

Jonathan Gerlach

A 34-year-old man accused of carrying out burglaries at Mount Moriah Cemetery and stealing human remains, which he then allegedly sold online.

Henry Giammarco

The Yeadon Police Chief who spoke outside the courthouse, calling for changes to state law to make the sale of body parts illegal.

Judy Prichard-McCleary

A relative of a person entombed at Mount Moriah Cemetery, whose great-great-grandfather's mausoleum was broken into.

Joanna McClinton

The Pennsylvania House Speaker who addressed the issue, stating that her office is partnering with law enforcement and others to enact laws to deter and prevent such crimes in the future.

The Friends of Mount Moriah

A group raising money for security improvements at the cemetery, including fence repairs, new cameras, and active patrols, in an effort to prevent similar crimes.

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What they’re saying

“I can't sell my grandchildren's old car seats, but I can go on Facebook marketplace and sell a skull.”

— Henry Giammarco, Yeadon Police Chief (6abc.com)

“My great-great-grandfather was a religious man. He built this mausoleum because he wanted to keep his family together.”

— Judy Prichard-McCleary (6abc.com)

“The grave robberies at Mt. Moriah and other cemeteries are heartbreaking for our community and so many families who had loved ones laid to rest there. These spaces are meant to be solemn resting places, and the theft and exploitation of people's final remains is sickening and unconscionable.”

— Joanna McClinton, Pennsylvania House Speaker (6abc.com)

What’s next

A new court date for Jonathan Gerlach has not yet been announced, though court sources say it will likely be within the next month. Authorities continue to work with state lawmakers to form new laws that would make selling body parts illegal.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for stronger legal protections and security measures to prevent the desecration of cemeteries and the exploitation of human remains. It has prompted renewed calls for legislative action to address this disturbing trend and restore the sanctity of final resting places for individuals and their loved ones.