It’s a chilling twist in the case of 17-year-old London Thomas: authorities have now formally charged Jalen Pendergrass, 23, and his mother Charla Pendergrass, 49, with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence in her killing.
London had vanished in early April after being dropped off at Jalen’s home in Inkster. She never returned. Weeks later, on April 26, her body was discovered in a sealed plastic bin inside an SUV in Southfield — nearly three weeks after she was reported missing.
According to Wayne County prosecutors, the case took a dramatic turn when investigators linked new evidence directly to the Pendergrasses. Jalen had long been a person of interest, but phone records, video footage, and forensics have elevated him to a suspect in London’s death. In parallel, Charla is accused of lying to police by claiming she saw London leave the house that day—a story later disproven by phone logs and surveillance.
Prosecutors also revealed a startling detail: on April 11, Charla reportedly asked a friend to move that sealed plastic bin with unknown contents into an SUV in Southfield. Investigators traced the bin’s journey to the vehicle where London’s remains were ultimately found. The medical examiner ruled her death a homicide by asphyxia.
Initially, Charla faced a lesser charge for lying to law enforcement. That charge had already been dismissed in August after prosecutors cited a legal technicality concerning whether FBI agents count as “peace officers” under the statute. But now, both she and Jalen face far graver charges.
They’re expected to appear in court for arraignment soon. If convicted, both could face life in prison. The Pendergrasses maintain their innocence. Meanwhile, London’s family is left grappling with the loss of a daughter and the uncertainty of justice.