Mother and son charged with murdering Detroit teen London Thomas

London Thomas
London Thomas Photo credit Crime Stoppers

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 are set to be arraigned Friday on second-degree murder charges, as well as Tampering with Evidence.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Crime Stoppers