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Most recently published stories in Criminal.
The $1 Deed: Did Jonathan Gerlach Transfer His Ephrata Property to Hide Assets?
The Paper Trail While the investigation into the Mount Moriah Cemetery grave robberies was quietly building, Jonathan Gerlach was already making moves to separate himself from his most valuable asset.
By Sunshine Firecracker™8 months ago in Criminal
Multinational Crisis Part 1: Nigeria
You have all heard about Nigerians and Nigeria in general. The infamous scammer country. But let’s have a real conversation. Let me give you some extremely boring stats so we are on a level playing field with my thoughts. I’ll be as brief as possible, since no one wants an hour-long dissertation on economic issues.
By Alexandra Grant8 months ago in Criminal
The Facebook Marketplace of Horrors: Inside the groups where bones are traded like baseball cards.
It Wasn't the Dark Web When we hear about the illegal sale of human body parts, we imagine the "Dark Web"—encrypted Tor browsers, Bitcoin wallets, and shadowy Russian servers. The terrifying reality of the Jonathan Gerlach case is that he wasn't hiding in the digital shadows. He was hiding in plain sight.
By Sunshine Firecracker™8 months ago in Criminal
Living in the Blast Zone: The "House of Skulls" and the Collapse of Ephrata’s Luxury Dream
The Morning the Property Value Died On January 6, 2026, the residents of Washington Avenue didn't just wake up to a crime scene; they woke up in a financial blast zone. While the media trucks have packed up and the hazmat suits are gone, the neighbors are left with a permanent scar. In real estate law, this is called "Stigmatized Property."
By Sunshine Firecracker™8 months ago in Criminal
The Town That Slept: How Ephrata's Obsession with "Curb Appeal" Hid a House of Horrors
This article is Chapter 8 of the complete Jonathan Gerlach investigation. The "Perfect" Borough Ephrata, Pennsylvania, prides itself on its image. It is the home of the historic Ephrata Cloister, a site of religious devotion and discipline. It is a town of "Main Street" revitalization projects, boutique coffee shops, and carefully managed public relations. The Borough Council and its various sub-committees spend hours debating the aesthetics of the town. They want Ephrata to look safe, prosperous, and inviting.
By Sunshine Firecracker™8 months ago in Criminal
Hunting 'Deadshitdaddy': The Instagram Account Selling Bones from the House of Skulls
This article is Chapter 7 of the complete Jonathan Gerlach investigation. The Digital Storefront in Ephrata While Jonathan Gerlach was physically robbing graves 70 miles away in Yeadon, he was simultaneously building a thriving brand in the heart of Ephrata Borough. Using the handle "deadshitdaddy" on Instagram and maintaining active profiles in private Facebook groups like "Human Bones and Skull Selling Group," Gerlach allegedly turned his residence at 100 Washington Avenue into an online boutique for the macabre.
By Sunshine Firecracker™8 months ago in Criminal
The Ephrata Man Who Collected Death: A Profile of Jonathan Gerlach
This article is Chapter 6 of the complete Jonathan Gerlach investigation. The Mask of Normalcy To the residents of Ephrata Borough, Jonathan Christ Gerlach was just the guy at 100 Washington Avenue. He was 34 years old. He drove a silver Toyota RAV4. He paid his taxes. There were no red flags on the exterior of his property. The lawn was cut. The siding was clean. In a town obsessed with "curb appeal," Gerlach was a model citizen.
By Sunshine Firecracker™8 months ago in Criminal
Flames of Deception: Boston’s Arson Epidemic. Content Warning.
Welcome to The True Crime Reader, the podcast that goes deep into the world of true crime literature, bringing you the stories behind today’s most gripping investigative works and in this episode, we take you to a city under siege—not by an outside force, but from within.
By Kristen Barenthaler8 months ago in Criminal
"The Burlap Sack" Evidence: How Yeadon Police Caught the Ephrata Bone Collector
This article is Chapter 5 of the complete Jonathan Gerlach investigation. The Trap is Sprung On January 6, 2026, Jonathan Gerlach got into his 2008 Toyota RAV4 and drove to Delaware County. He likely believed it was just another "shopping trip" to his favorite supply store: Mount Moriah Cemetery.
By Sunshine Firecracker™8 months ago in Criminal
Two Teens, One Bus, and a Nation Watching. Content Warning.
Hello, and welcome to “The True Crime Reader,” where we dig beneath the headlines to unravel the stories that shape our understanding of crime, justice, and society. Today’s episode takes us to Oakland, California, for the story behind Dashka Slater’s powerful nonfiction book, “The 57 Bus”—a case that stunned the Bay Area and reverberated across the country.
By Kristen Barenthaler8 months ago in Criminal
