Hunting 'Deadshitdaddy': The Instagram Account Selling Bones from the House of Skulls

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.

This wasn't the "Dark Web." This wasn't a hidden Tor site accessible only to hackers. This was on the same app you use to share photos of your lunch or watch reels of cute dogs. But the "fulfillment center" wasn't an Amazon warehouse—it was a rowhome in a quiet Pennsylvania neighborhood.

The "Menu": Pricing the Dead

According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause, police tracking Gerlach's digital footprint found evidence of active commerce. Users in these groups didn't just discuss bones; they bought them via Venmo, CashApp, and PayPal.

OSINT research into the "oddities" black market reveals just how lucrative this operation likely was:

• The "Human Skin Bag": As detailed in Chapter 2, investigators found digital evidence of a customer publicly thanking Gerlach for a custom bag made of human skin.
• The Market Value: In the illicit bone trade, a human skull in good condition can fetch anywhere from $500 to $2,000. Skulls with "pathology" (visible diseases or injuries) or those of children often command higher premiums due to their rarity.
• The Inventory: With over 400 bones and skulls seized from his property, Gerlach was sitting on potentially $100,000+ in stolen merchandise.

The "Ephrata Post Office" Connection

This digital trade had a physical footprint that touched the lives of everyday Ephrata residents. If Gerlach was selling, he was shipping. Residents need to ask themselves a chilling question: Did I stand in line behind him at the Post Office?

• The Logistics: You can't email a skull. Every sale required Gerlach to package human remains, label them with an Ephrata return address, and introduce them into the mail stream.
• The Federal Violation: Using the United States Postal Service (USPS) or private carriers (UPS/FedEx) to transport stolen human remains is a potential federal offense. This adds a layer of federal scrutiny to what began as a local burglary case.

The Psychology of "Deadshitdaddy"

The handle itself—"Deadshitdaddy"—reveals a disturbing level of narcissism and detachment. He wasn't hiding his collection in a secret bunker; he was bragging about it to the world. By posting high-resolution photos of his "inventory," he was seeking validation. He wanted to be a "Daddy" in the oddities scene—a provider, a source, a big shot who could get the items no one else could find.

This digital arrogance is likely what helped police build their case. Every post, every Direct Message (DM), and every transaction created a permanent digital paper trail. It directly contradicts any defense claim that he was just a "confused hoarder." Hoarders keep things. Merchants sell them.

The Facebook Marketplace for Death

The investigation into Gerlach exposes a massive moderation failure by Meta (Facebook/Instagram). How does a group explicitly named "Human Bones and Skull Selling Group" exist on a platform that strictly bans the sale of medical devices and live animals?

• The Loophole: Sellers often use code words or claim the items are for "educational purposes" or "medical study" to bypass algorithmic filters.
• The Reality: It is an unregulated black market where stolen heritage is swapped for digital payments, often with zero verification of provenance.

The Buyers: Who Are They?

This is the next, and perhaps most expansive, phase of the investigation. If Gerlach was selling, someone was buying. Police have seized his electronic devices. Every person who sent a payment to "Deadshitdaddy," every person who received a package with an Ephrata, PA return address, is now a potential accessory to Receiving Stolen Property or Abuse of Corpse.

The arrest of Jonathan Gerlach didn't close the market; it just exposed the supplier. The customers are still out there, displaying stolen ancestors on their mantels, perhaps unaware that the Delaware County District Attorney now has their names.

🚨 Continue the Investigation

The digital trail is fascinating, but the physical reality is what matters. How did a community like Ephrata—obsessed with code enforcement and lawn maintenance—miss the fact that a "Bone Factory" was operating on Washington Avenue?

• ⬅️ Previous: Chapter 6: The Man Who Collected Death
• ➡️ Next: Chapter 8: The Town That Slept

More on Vocal from Sunshine Firecracker☀️🧨:

• Inside the House of Skulls: The Complete Investigation (Master Hub)
• The Monster in the Details: How an Energy Drink Solved the Case
• Is Your Town Hall Breaking the Law? A Citizen's Guide to Official Oppression in Pennsylvania

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARK NOTICE © 2026 Sunshine Firecracker / Dr. Jennifer Gayle Sappington, J.D. All Rights Reserved.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER The content provided in this article is for informational, educational, and advocacy purposes only.

EDITORIAL NOTE All allegations are based on the Affidavit of Probable Cause, verified social media intelligence, and public statements from the Delaware County District Attorney's Office.