Summary: A judge ordered upgraded murder charges after testimony at a Jan. 22 preliminary hearing in the case of 17‑year‑old London Thomas, whose body was found in a car trunk on April 26. Testimony from another former girlfriend alleged that Jalen Pendergrass told her his mother urged him to "get angry" and "kill" Thomas and that he shared song lyrics about a body in a trunk. Charla Pendergrass now faces first‑degree murder and related charges and has pleaded not guilty; Jalen's docket had not been updated to reflect the upgrade as of the latest records.
Judge Upgrades Charges After Testimony That Ex‑Boyfriend’s Mother Urged Him To Kill Teen Found In Trunk
Jalen Pendergrass (left); London Thomas (center); and Charla Pendergrass (right)Wayne County Sheriff’s Office; GoFundMe; Detroit Police Department
A Michigan teenager, 17‑year‑old London Thomas, was found dead in the trunk of a vehicle on April 26, roughly three weeks after her family reported her missing. New testimony presented at a preliminary hearing prompted a judge to upgrade charges against her ex‑boyfriend, Jalen Pendergrass, and his mother, Charla Pendergrass.
Timeline and discovery
Thomas was reported missing on April 5 after her sister said she did not return home following an early‑morning drop‑off at the residence of Jalen Pendergrass, who was then identified as her ex‑boyfriend. Investigators say an associate of Charla Pendergrass allegedly transported a sealed plastic bin and placed it in the trunk of an SUV on April 11. That person later directed police to the vehicle; officers recovered Thomas' remains on April 26.
Allegations and testimony
At a preliminary hearing on Jan. 22 in Inkster, testimony from another former girlfriend of Jalen Pendergrass — identified as Lanyja Wilkerson — reportedly influenced the judge's decision to elevate the charges. Wilkerson testified that Pendergrass had confided in her about London's death and said his mother had urged him to "get angry" and "kill" Thomas. She also said he sent her song lyrics referencing a woman's body being found in a trunk. These statements remain allegations and have not been proven in court.
Charges and court status
London Thomasgofundme
Both Jalen, 24, and Charla, 49, were originally charged with second‑degree murder and tampering with evidence. Following the hearing, online court records show Charla now faces an upgraded first‑degree murder charge in addition to counts of tampering with evidence, felony murder and unlawful imprisonment; she has pleaded not guilty. As of the most recent public docket available, Jalen's records still reflected second‑degree murder and tampering charges and did not show an updated first‑degree murder filing or recorded plea or counsel information.
Investigation and next steps
The Wayne County prosecutor's office provided details about the missing‑person report and investigation timeline in an October statement. Authorities say the case remains under active investigation as court proceedings continue. It is not clear whether the associate who moved the sealed bin faces charges.
Support resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or needs help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1‑800‑799‑7233 or visit thehotline.org. All calls are confidential and available 24/7 in multiple languages.
Reporting sources include the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, WXYZ, and People.
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