He Strangled His Ex-Girlfriend. Then Spent 21 Days Pretending She Was Alive.

On April 5, 2025, 17-year-old London Thomas was dropped off at her former boyfriend’s home on Carlysle Street in Inkster, Michigan.

London and 23-year-old Jalen Pendergrass had previously been in a relationship, but the relationship had ended by the time she arrived at the home.

During an altercation, Jalen strangled London to death.

London was later reported missing.

Assistant Prosecutor Dominic DeGrazia said Jalen spent the next 21 days lying to London’s family and police about what happened to her.

Prosecutors said Jalen also posted videos and messages on social media spreading false claims that London had been seen alive.

“He did that to save himself,” DeGrazia told the court.

During the same period, Jalen allegedly contacted police several times and claimed he was being harassed by London’s family while they were desperately searching for her.

DeGrazia, who said he handles a large number of murder cases, described Jalen’s deception and behavior following London’s death as unusual and sociopathic.

On April 6, 2025, Jalen’s mother, 49-year-old Charla Pendergrass, allegedly contacted a friend and asked him to help move a sealed plastic bin without telling him what was inside.

On April 11, the man transported the bin to a home on Millard Street in Southfield, Michigan, and placed it inside an SUV.

On April 26, the man contacted authorities and disclosed that Charla had asked him to move the container.

Investigators searched the SUV and found London’s body inside the plastic bin.

An autopsy determined London died from asphyxia. Her death was ruled a homicide.

Charla initially claimed she saw London leave the Inkster home alive, but prosecutors said that statement was false.

She was previously charged with lying to a peace officer, but the charge was dismissed because the person she allegedly lied to was a federal agent and did not meet Michigan’s statutory definition of a peace officer.

In October 2025, Jalen and Charla were charged in connection with London’s death.

Jalen was charged with second-degree murder, felony murder, unlawful imprisonment and tampering with evidence.

On July 2, 2026, Jalen pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. The remaining charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

On July 31, Jalen declined to speak before he was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison.

Judge Paul Cusick said Jalen deserved to serve every minute of the maximum sentence.

Charla remains charged with first-degree murder, felony murder, unlawful imprisonment and tampering with evidence.

Her trial is scheduled to begin on October 26, 2026.