Who was found dead in the car trunk in Inkster, Michigan?

London Thomas, a 17-year-old, was found dead in the trunk of a car.

What charges do Jalen Pendergrass and his mother face?

Jalen Pendergrass and his mother, Charla Pendergrass, face upgraded charges of first-degree murder.

What led to the murder charges being upgraded?

Harrowing court testimony from another ex-girlfriend of Jalen allegedly revealed that his mother, Charla, directed him to kill London Thomas.

Home / Crime and Justice / Mom Accused of Ordering Son to Kill Ex-Girlfriend

Mom Accused of Ordering Son to Kill Ex-Girlfriend

28 Jan

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Summary

Teen's body found in car trunk weeks after reported missing.
Ex-boyfriend and mother face murder charges in homicide.
Court testimony led to upgrade from second-degree murder charges.

Mom Accused of Ordering Son to Kill Ex-Girlfriend

London Thomas, 17, was discovered deceased in the trunk of a car on April 26, several weeks after her disappearance from Inkster, Michigan. Her ex-boyfriend, Jalen Pendergrass, 24, and his mother, Charla Pendergrass, 49, were initially charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence.

A preliminary hearing on January 22 led to a judge upgrading the charges against both Jalen and Charla Pendergrass to first-degree murder. This upgrade followed testimony from Lanyja Wilkerson, another ex-girlfriend of Jalen, who stated he confided in her about the killing.

Wilkerson testified that Charla allegedly instructed Jalen to "get angry" and "kill" London Thomas. She also claimed Jalen sent her song lyrics about a body found in a trunk. Charla Pendergrass has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges, while Jalen's court records are still reflecting second-degree murder charges.