The Monster in the Details: How a can found in Yeadon solved a crime Ephrata missed.

This article is Chapter 3 of the complete Jonathan Gerlach investigation.

The Million-Dollar Mistake

Jonathan Gerlach stole over 100 human skulls. He transported bodies across county lines. He maintained a "museum" in a rowhome and a "warehouse" in a storage unit. For months, he operated with impunity right under the nose of the Ephrata Police Department.

But for all his "Executive Function" and logistical planning, he made one fatal, sloppy error. He got thirsty.

The Crime Scene at Mount Moriah

In late 2025, groundskeepers at the historic Mount Moriah Cemetery in Yeadon noticed something disturbing. Mausoleums were being pried open. Caskets were being disturbed. And heads were missing. This wasn't random vandalism. The thief was methodical. He knew exactly which crypts to target and used specific tools—later linked to a December retail theft of hardware supplies—to pry open the heavy stone seals.

But during one of his nocturnal raids, while surrounded by the dead, Gerlach got careless. He drank an energy drink and smoked a cigarette—and then he threw the empty can and the butt on the ground near a looted grave.

Yeadon vs. Ephrata: A Tale of Two Police Departments

This is where the story becomes an indictment of our local leadership. When Yeadon Police found the trash, they didn't just kick it aside. They treated it as evidence.

• They bagged the can and the cigarette butts.
• They sent them to the lab.
• They swabbed the rim for saliva.

This is basic, competent police work. Meanwhile, back in Ephrata, Code Enforcement officers were likely measuring grass height at 100 Washington Avenue, completely oblivious to the fact that the homeowner was hauling burlap sacks of bones through the front door.

The DNA Hit

The lab results came back with a match. The DNA on the rim of the can and the cigarette butts belonged to Jonathan C. Gerlach. This was the "Golden Thread" that unraveled the entire sweater.

• It placed him at the scene of the crime.
• It gave Yeadon detectives the probable cause they needed to secure a warrant for his vehicle.
• It allowed them to set up the surveillance operation that caught him "red-handed" leaving the cemetery on January 6 with fresh remains in his trunk.

The Myth of the "Criminal Mastermind"

The media likes to paint serial offenders as geniuses. Gerlach was not a genius. He was a man who littered at a felony crime scene. He was sloppy, arrogant, and careless.

The fact that he operated for so long isn't a testament to his skill; it's a testament to Ephrata's blindness. He didn't hide well—we just refused to look. If Yeadon PD hadn't picked up that can, how many more bodies would be in that storage unit today? 200? 300?

The Brand of the Beast

There is a dark irony that an energy drink—a symbol of hyper-active, modern consumption—was the downfall of a man obsessed with the dead. It fueled the monster who turned a quiet Pennsylvania borough into a national horror story. And ultimately, it was the trash he left behind that buried him.

🚨 Continue the Investigation

We know how he was caught. Now, we have to look at what he was actually building. Warning: The next chapter contains graphic descriptions of the "Museum" inside the home.

• ⬅️ Previous: Chapter 2: The Second Crime Scene (The Storage Unit)
• ➡️ Next: Chapter 4: "A Horror Movie Come to Life" (The Basement)

Or, return to the Case File: 📂 Inside the House of Skulls: The Complete Investigation Hub

Dr. Jennifer Gayle Sappington, J.D. Author & Investigative Journalist Member, National Writers Union (UAW Local 1981) Member ID: 172106 | Book & Journalism Division Creator, Inside the House of Skulls Investigative Series

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© 2026 SUNSHINE FIRECRACKER / DR. JENNIFER GAYLE SAPPINGTON, J.D. All Rights Reserved. This content is protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution as an act of investigative journalism, political commentary, and public accountability.

EDITORIAL NOTE & DISCLAIMER: This article is an investigative report based on the Affidavit of Probable Cause filed by the Yeadon Police Department and the Delaware County District Attorney's Office.

• Presumption of Innocence: All individuals mentioned, including Jonathan Gerlach, are presumed innocent of any criminal charges until proven guilty in a court of law.
• Opinion vs. Fact: Statements characterizing the actions or inactions of third parties (e.g., "The Warehouse," "Systemic Negligence") represent the author's opinion and interpretation of public safety duties and are not statements of criminal fact established by a court.
• Source Attribution: The term "Macabre Museum" is a direct quote from District Attorney Tanner Rouse.

FAIR USE NOTICE: This commentary utilizes copyrighted material (including social media data and news summaries) under the protection of Section 107 of the US Copyright Law. This usage is for the purposes of news reporting, criticism, and teaching, and constitutes a "fair use" of any such material.

EDITORIAL NOTE All allegations are based on the Affidavit of Probable Cause and public police reports available as of January 15, 2026.