Wayne County prosecutors have charged two people in connection with the disappearance and death of 17-year-old London Thomas, who was reported missing earlier this year.
Thomas’ boyfriend, Jalen Pendergrass, 23, and his mother, Charla Pendergrass, 49, both of Clawson, are each charged with second-degree murder, a felony punishable by up to life in prison, and tampering with evidence.
Thomas’ body was found on April 26, 2025, in the area of Millard Street near Berg Road in Southfield. Her remains were discovered inside an SUV parked in the driveway of a home. The medical examiner ruled her death a homicide, determining the cause to be asphyxia.
Investigators say Thomas was last seen around 4 a.m. on April 5 after being dropped off at an Inkster home on the 27260 block of Carlysle Street. Prosecutors allege she had recently ended her relationship with Jalen Pendergrass that same morning.
When Thomas did not return home, her sister reported her missing to Inkster Police on April 5, and her mother filed a second missing person report with Detroit Police on April 6.
Authorities say Charla Pendergrass called a friend on April 7 asking him to move a sealed plastic bin with unknown contents. The friend allegedly placed that bin inside the SUV on Millard Street on April 11, where Thomas’ body was later discovered.
“This case took countless hours of investigation,” said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. “Thanks to the diligence of the Michigan State Police, Detroit Police, and the FBI, we have brought the perpetrators of this cruel and deadly crime to justice.”
Court records show Charla Pendergrass was initially charged in May with lying to a peace officer, though that charge was later dropped in August after prosecutors learned she allegedly lied to FBI agents investigating Thomas’ death.
Jalen and Charla Pendergrass are scheduled to be arraigned Friday morning.
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