WAYNE COUNTY (WWJ) -- Months after the body of a missing Detroit teen was found, prosecutors have now charged her ex-boyfriend and his mother with her murder.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged 23-year-old Jalen Pendergrass and 49-year-old Charla Pendergrass with second-degree murder in the killing of 17-year-old London Thomas last spring.
She was last seen alive at his house in Inkster on April 5, 2025.
According to the prosecutor's office, Inkster Police received information from a friend of Charla Pendergrass in late April, saying she called him and asked him to take away a sealed plastic bin without telling him what was inside it.
He took the bin in a SUV to Southfield.
A multi-agency search eventually led to the discovery of Thomas’ dead body in the bin in the SUV, officials said.
The teen's remains were taken to the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office where an autopsy determined that she died from asphyxia, and that the manner of death was homicide.
“I am proud of the excellent work that has been done in this case. It has taken countless hours of investigation, and diligent work by the Michigan State Police, the Detroit Police Department, and the FBI. As a result of that work, we have been able to charge and bring the perpetrators of this cruel and deadly crime to justice,” said Prosecutor Kym Worthy.
Both Pendergrasses appears in court for an arraignment on the murder charges Friday, as well as charges of tampering with evidence.
Jalen Pendergrass was remanded to the Wayne County Jail, pending further court proceedings.
Charla Pendergrass was given a $5 million cash bond.
“This was a dedicated effort to find justice for London Thomas,” said
MSP First Lt. Mike Shaw, in a statement. “This was a difficult investigation with many moving parts and the detectives of the Second District Special Investigation Section along with our partners at DPD and the FBI worked tirelessly to bring at least a small amount of closure to London’s family”
Thomas' father, Cedric Salisbury, was among the late teen's loves ones who gathered in court for Friday's proceedings.
"I'm so angry, and I'm so happy and satisfied at the same time," he told WWJ Newsradio 950's Charlie Langton. "We all knew that they were pretty much responsible for what happened. So, now we're moving forward, and we're moving in the right direction."
Not guilty pleas were entered on behalf of both defendants. Their next court appearance was set for Oct. 22.