Mother and Son Arrested for Alleged Murder of Missing Teenager

On October 17, 2025, Jalen Pendergras, 23, and his mother Charla, 49, are scheduled to make their first court appearance after being charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of 17-year-old London Thomas.

The charges come nearly six months after Thomas was last seen on April 5, when her sister dropped her off at the Pendergras' home in Inkster, Michigan. Three weeks later, her body was discovered in a plastic bin, with the medical examiner determining the cause of death to be asphyxiation.

Prosecutors allege that Jalen and Charla Pendergras were involved in the teenager's murder, though the motive remains unclear. The pair were briefly detained for questioning after the discovery of Thomas' remains, but no formal charges were filed until now.

"I am proud of the excellent work that has been done in this case," said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. "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."

The Pendergras duo will have the opportunity to enter pleas to the charges against them during their upcoming court appearance.