At a Glance
- London Thomas was found dead in a car trunk on April 26.
- Her ex-boyfriend Jalen Pendergrass (24) and his mother Charla Pendergrass (49) were upgraded to first-degree murder.
- A former girlfriend testified that Jalen was directed by his mother to kill Thomas.
- Why it matters: The case highlights the seriousness of domestic-violence-related homicides and the impact of new evidence on charges.
London Thomas, 17, was discovered dead in the trunk of a vehicle on April 26, three weeks after she was reported missing from Inkster, Mich. The Wayne County prosecutor’s office announced the findings in October. Her ex-boyfriend, 24-year-old Jalen Pendergrass, and his mother, 49-year-old Charla Pendergrass, faced charges related to the homicide.
Background
London Thomas was reported missing on April 5 after she did not return home from a drop-off at Jalen’s residence around 4 a.m. The family’s statement indicated that the last time she was seen was in Jalen’s company.
Investigators later uncovered a series of actions that linked the Pendergrasses to the crime:
- On April 7, Charla allegedly told a friend to transport a sealed plastic bin with unknown contents.
- Jalen placed the package in the bin of an SUV on April 11.
- A friend later directed police to the location, where Thomas’s body was recovered.
These findings initially resulted in second-degree murder and tampering-with-evidence charges for both Jalen and Charla.
Legal Proceedings
During a preliminary hearing on Jan. 22, a judge in Inkster upgraded the charges to first-degree murder, according to WXYZ. The court records for Charla now list first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, felony murder, and unlawful imprisonment, with a plea of not guilty. Jalen’s records still show second-degree murder and tampering with evidence; no plea information is available.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 5 | Thomas reported missing |
| April 7 | Charla instructs friend about bin |
| April 11 | Jalen places package in SUV |
| April 26 | Thomas found dead in trunk |
| Jan. 22 | Charges upgraded to first-degree murder |
Court Testimony
Lanyja Wilkerson, another former girlfriend of Jalen, testified on Thursday that he confided in her about Thomas’s killing. She claimed that Jalen told her his mother demanded he get angry and kill Thomas. Wilkerson also said Jalen sent her the lyrics of a song describing a woman’s body found in a trunk.
Jalen’s alleged conversation with Wilkerson, if proven, could strengthen the prosecution’s case that the murder was premeditated and directed by Charla.
Current Status
Both parties remain in custody. Charla has pleaded not guilty to the upgraded charges. Jalen’s legal team has not yet filed a plea, and his attorney information is not publicly disclosed.
The case has drawn attention to the potential influence of family members in domestic-violence-related crimes. The prosecutor’s office continues to investigate any additional evidence that may link the Pendergrasses to the murder.
Key Takeaways
- The upgrade to first-degree murder reflects new evidence presented at trial.
- A former girlfriend’s testimony suggests the murder was orchestrated by Charla.
- Legal proceedings are ongoing, with both defendants facing serious charges.
- The case underscores the importance of thorough investigations in domestic-violence cases.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or visit thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential.
