Mom Allegedly Told Son to ‘Get Angry’ and Kill His Girlfriend Before Body Was Found Sealed in Plastic Bin: Testimony

A Michigan teenager discovered dead in the trunk of a vehicle last spring was allegedly killed after her ex-boyfriend’s mother urged him to do it, according to testimony heard in court last week.

London Thomas, 17, was found dead in a car trunk on April 26—about three weeks after she was reported missing from Inkster, Michigan—according to a statement from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office issued in October.

Her ex-boyfriend, 24-year-old Jalen Pendergrass, and his mother, 49-year-old Charla Pendergrass, were charged in connection with Thomas’ death at the time. After a preliminary hearing on Thursday, Jan. 22, a judge in Inkster ordered the charges upgraded to first-degree murder, WXYZ reported.

Thomas was reported missing on April 5 after she didn’t return home. Her sister contacted police when Thomas failed to come back following a drop-off at Jalen Pendergrass’ residence around 4 a.m., the prosecutor’s office said in the October statement.

Investigators later uncovered evidence suggesting that on April 7, Charla Pendergrass told a friend to “transport a sealed plastic bin with unknown contents,” according to the prosecutor’s office. That friend told police he placed the package inside the SUV on April 11.

Authorities ultimately located Thomas’ body after the friend led police to the vehicle’s location. It remains unclear whether the friend faces any criminal charges.

While the original accusations resulted in second-degree murder charges for the Pendergrasses, testimony presented in court last week prompted the judge to upgrade the case to first-degree murder, WXYZ reported.

Lanyja Wilkerson—another former girlfriend of Jalen Pendergrass—testified on Thursday that he allegedly confessed details of the killing to her, the outlet reported. Wilkerson told the court that Charla Pendergrass allegedly demanded her son “get angry” and “kill” Thomas.

Wilkerson also claimed that he sent her lyrics from a song describing a woman’s body being found in a trunk.

Both Charla Pendergrass and her son were initially charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence, the prosecutor’s office said.

Online court records for Charla Pendergrass now show a first-degree murder charge, though Jalen Pendergrass’ records did not reflect the same upgrade as of Tuesday.

Charla Pendergrass has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, felony murder, and unlawful imprisonment, according to her court records.

Jalen Pendergrass’ court records—still listing second-degree murder and tampering with evidence as of Tuesday—did not show a plea or attorney information.