Mom and Son Arrested for Murdering His 17-Year-Old Girlfriend

Prosecutors in Michigan have announced the arrest of a mother and son in connection with the alleged murder of a 17-year-old girl who had been missing for months.

Jalen Pendergras, 23, is facing charges of second-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the death of his girlfriend, London Thomas. His mother, 49-year-old Charla Pendergras, has been charged with the same crimes for her alleged involvement.

According to court records, a bench warrant was issued for both Jalen and Charla on Wednesday, October 15, the same day Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s office filed a formal complaint against them.

London Thomas was last seen on April 5, when her sister dropped her off at the Pendergras home in Inkster, Michigan, a suburb about 15 miles west of Detroit. Three weeks later, police made a grim discovery: her body was found inside a plastic bin.

Investigators say they were led to the remains after receiving a tip. On April 26, a man contacted authorities to report that Charla had asked him on April 7 to help move a plastic bin into a vehicle in Southfield, a city about 15 miles north of Inkster. He provided the location of the vehicle, and Michigan State Police soon located the bin. The remains inside were identified as London Thomas.

The medical examiner determined her cause of death to be asphyxia and ruled it a homicide.

At the time, both Jalen and Charla were questioned and briefly detained, but no charges were filed. Months of investigation followed, involving Michigan State Police, the Detroit Police Department, and the FBI.

“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,” Prosecutor Worthy said in a statement. “As a result of that work, we have been able to charge and bring the perpetrators of this cruel and deadly crime to justice.”

What remains unclear is the motive behind the killing.

Jalen and Charla Pendergras are scheduled to make their first court appearance on Friday, October 17, where they are expected to enter pleas to both charges.