S11:E1:The Senseless Murder of London Thomas (17) "A Family Affair"

Detroit, Michigan —17-year-old London Thomas had a promising future before she disappeared in the spring of 2025. What began as a missing person case soon unraveled into something far more disturbing, pulling investigators into a web of unanswered questions, deception, and heartbreaking betrayal. 

 What followed was not just a missing person investigation, but a disturbing story involving a former boyfriend, his mother, and allegations that exposed just how far two people may have gone to hide the truth.

In this episode, we look at London’s life, the warning signs, and the chilling details that turned a young girl’s disappearance into a case that shook the Detroit area –and the ongoing quest for Justice for London. 

Listen to Season 11: Episode 1: “A Family Affair” to find out how this heartbreaking case unfolds. 

Rest in Peace - London Thomas 🙏🕊️🕯️- Gone But Never Forgotten. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7/365 at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 8788 ☎️

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Transcript

SPEAKER_24 0:00

This podcast contains graphic details which may be disturbing to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. I'm Chantel B and welcome back to the show. Today's case hits home for me for several reasons. Number one, this case is out of my hometown of Michigan. And number two, this case rattled me to the core. The case that I'm talking about is 17-year-old London Thomas. There's so many questions and answers. But we're gonna walk through her disappearance and London Thomas's untimely death. The question has always been how does a teenage girl disappear after visiting her ex-boyfriend? But what investigators would later uncover were allegations that more than one person had been involved in hiding the truth. Back on April 5th, 2025, 17-year-old London Thomas was dropped off at her ex-boyfriend's home in Angster, Michigan. She was expected to return home later that day, but she vanished without a trace. This case left a Detroit community heartbroken, but it also raised difficult questions about the links that some people will go to to conceal a crime. This is the heartbreaking story of London Thomas, a seventeen-year-old high school student whose future was taken far too soon. One family's life changed forever, and a simple ride to her ex-boyfriend's house in the spring of 2025 became the beginning of a desperate search into one of the area's most shocking homicide cases. But before we get into the gruesome details of this case, we must first honor London's life. London Thomas was born on May 10th, 2007, and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She spent most of her childhood surrounded by the love and support of her family. London was just 17 years old, and she was at a point in her life where everything seemed full of promise. She was growing into an independent young woman. And she was looking forward to graduating from high school. London was on the edge of adulthood, making plans for her future, and also looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead. Like many teenagers, she was figuring out what she wanted to become, but also enjoying the everyday moments that came along with being young and free. London was a daughter. She was a friend. She was a student with her whole life in front of her. She shared a close bond with her family. These were all people who cared about her, who loved her immensely, and they all looked forward to watching her reach the milestones that every parent hopes to see. London was entering the most exciting chapters of her life. London was a senior at Davis Aerospace Technical High School, with her high school graduation drawing close and new possibilities waiting beyond high school. School was an important part of her life, and like many seniors, she was looking forward to walking across that stage, celebrating graduation. There were moments she had been waiting for, and she was excited about what the future might hold for her. Beyond the classroom, London was simply a teenager trying to enjoy life. She spent time with friends, stayed connected with her loved ones. She dreamed about the future that she wanted to build. She had goals, she had ambition, and plenty of time to achieve them. To the people around her, London was just beginning a journey that should have lasted for decades. At one point, London was in a relationship with 23-year-old Jalen Pendergrass. But the relationship eventually came to an end. Breakups are often a difficult but common part of growing up. But Jalen was six years older than London, and there was nothing to suggest that ending the relationship would place her in imminent danger. She had no idea that everything was about to change. The future which she had envisioned would never occur. So in the early morning hours of April 5th, 2025, at around 4 a.m., 17-year-old London Thomas asked her sister for a ride to the home of Jalen Pendergrass. Jalen lived in Angster, Michigan, on Carlisle Street. Now this was a request that didn't seem unusual at the time, but wanting to help her sister, she agreed and drove her. When they arrived, London got out of the vehicle and walked towards the house while her sister drove away. Her sister expecting that she would hear from London later that morning, and neither of them could have imagined that it would be the last time that London was seen. But as the morning turned into the afternoon, London's family began worrying. Hours had passed, no one had heard from London, and she had not return home. This was unusual. More concerning was the fact that she had not called or sent one single text message for London to this kind of silence was unusual. London kept in contact with her sister constantly. She stayed in constant contact with her family. Her family repeatedly tried to reach her, hoping she would answer, or at least send them a message letting them know that she was safe. But every call went unanswered, and every passing hour made them fear that something had gone terribly wrong. London's sister contacted the Inkster Police Department and she reported her sister missing later that day. The following day on April 6th, when London still had not returned home, her mother also filed a missing persons report with the Detroit Police Department. Because London lived in Detroit but was last seen in Inkster, investigators from both departments became involved and they worked to establish a timeline of London's last known movements. They needed to determine where she had gone after arriving at Jalen's house on Carlisle Street. The Inkster Police Department began the initial investigation, and they interviewed witnesses and followed every lead. But as the seriousness of the case became clear, there were additional agencies that joined the search, the Michigan State Police and the FBI, with multiple law enforcement agencies now working together. What investigators were focused on was gathering surveillance footage, analyze digital evidence and interviewing witnesses connected to the case that could reveal London's whereabouts. One of the most important leads came from London's cell phone. When investigators tracked the device, they discovered that its last known location was near Cooper Elementary School in Westland, Michigan, several miles away from the home where her sister dropped her off just hours earlier. That discovery immediately raised new questions. Because if London had gone to her ex boyfriend's house, how had her phone ended up in a completely different area? What detectives now had to determine whether London had traveled there herself or whether someone else had taken her there after she arrived in Ankster while investigators continued searching for answers. London's family refused to give up. Her father, Cedric Salisbury, joined relatives, friends, and members of the community in organizing search efforts for London. Many volunteers showed up, whom had never met London, searching through open fields, wooded areas and abandoned buildings in the hope of finding any clue that would bring London home. What began as a desperate search over a few hours soon stretched into days and then weeks. Despite the tireless efforts of law enforcement and countless volunteers, there was still no sign of London, leaving her family trapped in a painful cycle of hope, fear, and unanswered questions. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_05 10:55

As you would expect, Jasmine Bennett has not been getting much sleep since her daughter went missing. Here's what she shared about what she's going through and what she's hearing from police. Tomorrow will mark two weeks since your daughter was last seen. How are you doing?

SPEAKER_09 11:10

Not well. Not well. I'm holding it together as good as possible. Every moment is torture, whatever. You know, if there's anything that I can say, it's just that everybody supporting and loving us and helping us is getting me through. Other than that, I won't be able to get out of bed.

SPEAKER_05 11:31

And what are you hearing from police?

SPEAKER_09 11:33

Nothing really. Nothing I can know. Not much about the investigation or anything else that is really going on at this time has not been released to me.

SPEAKER_05 11:41

And what do you think happened to your daughter?

SPEAKER_09 11:44

I don't know. I don't know. I don't know if this is some type of crazy sex screen type of thing. I don't know if she's just been abducted if somebody tried to hurt her. Um, I don't know. I don't know. Every moment is fear, and I have like a thousand more ideas of terror that I have to think about.

SPEAKER_05 12:03

Last night, Detroit police conducted a second search of the boyfriend's home in Inkster. No word of that turned up anything today. Detroit police telling me they have no updates to release to the public. The release, the reason why Detroit police are handling this case is because Thomas is a resident of Detroit. The family of London Thomas tells me that they are planning more searches in the coming days, and we will certainly pass along that information when that becomes available. If you have any information about this case, you're asked to call Crime Stoppers. That number is 1-800. Speak up, and you can remain anonymous. We're live on Detroit's West Side.

SPEAKER_24 12:41

As the investigation intensified, detectives focused on answering the question that mattered the most. What happened to London Thomas after she arrived at her ex boyfriend's home? What investigators worked to build was a timeline of her final known movements, analyzing cell phone data and interviewing anyone who might have seen or spoken with her. Her sister became a crucial piece of the puzzle, dropping London off at Jalen Pendergrass' home, which was the last time she had heard from London. Every lead pointed back to the same location. The house on Carlisle Street in Angster, where London had been dropped off during the early morning hours of april fifth, twenty twenty five. As investigators gathered more evidence, their attention centered on the home of Jalen Pendergrass. Detectives spent days collecting information and examining digital records. They compared witness statements to establish exactly what happened after London had arrived at Jalen's home. They believed that the answer to London's disappearance could be found inside that home. So on april seventeenth, two thousand twenty five, investigators took a major step in the case when the FBI executed a search warrant at Jalen Pendergrass' home. The agent searched the property and seized electronic devices, which would include cell phones, along with phone records and text messages that they believed could help reconstruct the timeline surrounding London's disappearance. The evidence collected during the search suggested that something significant happened inside the residence. This prompted authorities to continue focusing their investigation on the people who were inside the home that morning. During the investigation, detectives questioned Charlotte Pendergrass, Jalen's mother. Charlotte told them that London had left the house and she claimed she had no knowledge of where the seventeen year old had gone afterward. The authorities compared her statements with the physical evidence and digital information that they had already collected, working to determine whether the timeline she provided matched the facts that were uncovered during the investigation. The case took another significant turn on april twenty sixth, twenty twenty five, when the Inster Police Department received information from a man who was identified as a friend of Charlotte Pendergrass. Now that information was shared with the FBI, and according to court documents, this man told federal investigators that on april seventh, twenty twenty five, Charla contacted him and asked him to transport a sealed plastic storage bin containing unknown contents. Now he said he did not know what was inside the container, but he agreed to move it just as she requested. The witness told investigators that he picked up the sealed bin and placed it inside an SUV parked on Miller Street in Southfield, Michigan. But when authorities acted on this new information, they quickly organized another search and on april twenty sixth, the Michigan State Police joined the FBI, the Detroit Police Department at Millard Street to search the SUV. The investigators hoped that the information would finally reveal what happened to London Thomas and bring her family one step closer to the answers they had been desperately seeking for weeks. The investigation reached a heartbreaking turning point on april twenty sixth, twenty twenty five, when investigators searched that SUV parked on Miller Street inside a sealed plastic storage bin. The investigators made the discovery that London's family had feared for weeks the body of seventeen year old London Thomas was found inside that container, bringing an end to the desperate search that had united her family, friends, and members of the community. London's remains were transported to the Oakland County Medical Examiner's office for an autopsy. The examination determined that she had died from asphyxia, and her death was officially ruled a homicide. While the medical examiner's findings answer one important question, this also intensified the investigation. Detectives now shifted their focus to identifying everyone who may have played a role in London's murder and the efforts that followed to hide what happened. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_22 18:39

But first, new information about a tragic ending to a young lady's life, the body of London Thomas found after weeks of a desperate search. Thank you for joining us. We're glad you're with us. I'm Simon Chaikette.

SPEAKER_03 18:49

And I'm Whitney Bernie. Tonight we are learning more about the tragic discovery of the teen's body.

SPEAKER_22 18:54

We've been following the heartbreaking search for the teen. She was last seen April 5th, dropped off at her boyfriend's house in Inkster. Her phone pinged in Westland the very next morning. And she was reported missing three days later. Now on April 17th, police raiding the boyfriend's home. Now, nearly three weeks later, her body has been discovered in Southfield.

SPEAKER_03 19:14

And this evening, Seven News Detroit reporter Sarah Michael is speaking with London's family about how they're coping amid the discovery. She's also learning new details about where London's body was reportedly found. She joins us from the area of Eight Mile and Telegraph in Southfield with those updates.

SPEAKER_10 19:31

Neighbors in this area tell me that investigators discovered 17-year-old London Thomas' body inside a white SUV in this driveway Saturday evening. They tell me that they watched the entire thing unfold, and now they're wondering how in the world could her body have gotten here? Oh god. That killed me the most. Over the weekend, Justina Martin's world shattered. She tells me news of her granddaughter London Thomas's body being found broke their family Saturday evening. Did she used to call you a lot? Yeah, she called me right when she disappeared. She called me back, said thank you, I love you, grandma. 17-year-old London had been missing since April 5th after she was dropped off at her 23-year-old boyfriend's house in Inkster. Family had been searching for the Detroit teen since. On April 17th, the police searched London's boyfriend's house. She's like, I'm gonna take care of you, grandma. Michigan State Police is the lead agency in the investigation. Over the weekend, they shared that London's body was found in Southfield, saying they currently have two suspects in custody who are believed to be involved in her disappearance. With your expertise, what really stands out to you about this case?

SPEAKER_19 21:04

She's a 17-year-old girl with a 23-year-old boyfriend that simply concerns me that there's that difference in age.

SPEAKER_10 21:13

Bill Peterson is a retired Detroit police homicide detective.

SPEAKER_19 21:17

He tells me if I was investigating a case, that's where I'd look first.

SPEAKER_10 21:22

Neighbors say a single mom and her three children live at the home where London's body was reportedly found in an SUV outside. They say that the SUV had been sitting there for two weeks. When I rang the doorbell, someone called out, no comment. Meanwhile, the family has started this GoFundMe to help cover London's funeral expenses. What are you hoping happens these next couple days?

SPEAKER_08 21:54

I'm a scene killing my grandchildren.

SPEAKER_10 21:57

And family shares with me that they are holding a Candlelight vigil for London in this area tonight at seven thirty in Southfield. Sarah Michaels, seven news Detroit.

SPEAKER_24 22:08

Following the horrific discovery of London Thomas's body, the investigation revved up, but was also slow moving. But over the following months, investigators continued reviewing digital evidence, witness statements, and forensic findings. Back in October 2025, prosecutors announced criminal charges against Jalen and Charlotte Pendergrass. They were initially charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence. Now the case took another major turn during the January 2026 preliminary hearing when a witness who had previously dated Jalen Pendergrass testified in court that Jalen had privately admitted to her what happened inside the home on April 5th, 2025. In one account, Jalen allegedly claimed that London and his mother Charlotte got into a physical fight inside the home, that he assaulted London to restrain her and tied her up after that confrontation. Jalen said that Charlotte instructed him to get angry and to kill London. He pulled London off the bed, stood her up, wrapped a belt around her neck and strangled her until she collapsed. The prosecutors argued that these statements suggested that the killing had been planned rather than committed in the heat of the moment. Based on the testimony and other evidence presented during the hearing, the judge ruled that there was enough evidence to increase the charges from second-degree murder to first degree murder. This allowed prosecutors to move forward with the more serious charges, which would include more time if convicted. After London disappeared, Jalen sent her lyrics from the song by the rapper MBA Youngboy, according to prosecutors. The lyrics describe hiding a young woman's body in the trunk of a vehicle so her family would never find her. They argued that the message closely resembled the circumstances surrounding London's disappearance and the eventual discovery of her body inside that storage bin. The defense, however, challenged the prosecution's case, and they argued that investigators had relied on the same limited evidence for months and that the witness accounts were inconsistent. But as the case moved towards trial, both Jalen and Charlotte Pendergrass maintained their innocence, leaving a jury to ultimately determine whether the evidence proved the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. Let's take a listen to those charges.

SPEAKER_20 25:26

We begin with breaking news in the case of murdered Ingster Teen London Thomas.

SPEAKER_01 25:30

The Wayne County prosecutor announcing new charges today against Thomas's former boyfriend and his mother. Good evening, everyone. I'm Taryn Asher.

SPEAKER_20 25:38

And I'm Ruperaj. This comes months after the 17-year-old went missing and was later found dead. Let's get live to Fox News Lauren Edwards. We focused now with the very latest. Lauren.

SPEAKER_04 25:46

Rupe and Taryn, I can tell you we spoke with the family and they say that they're experiencing a bit of relief. Now I'm out here on Millard Street in Southfield, a block away after from Millard, where her body was found back in April. But let's get into the details of what happened. Now, this is 17-year-old London Thomas of Detroit. Investigators say and family say that she was first reported missing on April 5th earlier this year. That day she was last seen being dropped off at 23-year-old Jalen Pendergrass' house in the Insta prosecutor's office say that they may have been in a relationship, but allegedly all ended before she arrived at the home. Weeks later, police say April 26th, her body was found in the SUV in the area of Millard Street in Southfield, near Eight Mile. Police then gone to say that Pendergrass was named immediately a person of interest. His mother, Charlotte Pendergrass, was charged with lying to a police officer, but those charges were later dropped. But they say that it was a tip from one of her friends that helped investigators get to the body. This week, both the son and mother, both Pendergrasses, were arrested and charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence and family tell us they absolutely still can't believe it.

SPEAKER_08 27:01

I miss it. My grandbaby caught you always calling me. And I missed her. And I just I knew they was gonna get happy. And I want justice for my granddaughter. Um I want them to get the maximum energy they can get with my granddaughter. Because when I talked to that mama, I knew she had something to do with it.

SPEAKER_04 27:34

You can hear the heartbreak there, just listening to the grandmother. It was so tragic, and she says that she and family will be there for the arraignments tomorrow, which are expected to happen at 9 a.m. in Inkster. Reporting live here in Southfield Lauren Edwards, Fox 2 News.

SPEAKER_20 27:49

Yeah, do we know exactly? You said the mother was charged in this case exactly specifically what she may have tried to withhold or what she was untruthful about.

SPEAKER_04 27:58

Well, she was untruthful. It was months ago to peace officers about whether or not she had seen London Thomas last, but it came out through the prosecutor's office saying that the peace officer wasn't exactly someone that she can get charged for lying to. So that was just a bit of a wrinkle in the case, but nonetheless, both are facing really serious charges.

SPEAKER_20 28:16

Serious indeed. Lauren Edwards for us live tonight. Thank you.

SPEAKER_24 28:20

So as the preliminary hearing took place, Charlotte Pendergrass faced a separate charge of lying to a peace officer during the investigation. The prosecutors allege that she knowingly provided false information to investigators while they were searching for London Thomas. According to the prosecution, those statements delayed the investigation and also interfered with law enforcement efforts to determine what happened to London Thomas. Charlotte's defense attorney challenged that charge. They argued that it did not meet the legal requirements under Michigan law. They contended that the statements the prosecutors relied upon were made to an FBI special agent and not to a Michigan police officer, which they argued was required under the state statute for that particular offense. The murder charge.

SPEAKER_23 31:59

So it's completely contradictory. And now to come forth and argue that the medical examiner missed this, they didn't miss anything.

SPEAKER_21 32:08

After hearing the prosecutor and defense argue about this evidence, the judge says he needs more time to decide. And again, Jalen Pendergrass, he's headed to trial. That starts June 8th, and that motion to quash the evidentiary hearing for his mother, Charlotte Pendergrass, that's going to be decided on May 8th. In Detroit, Gino Vici, CBS News Detroit.

SPEAKER_24 32:29

The court also heard emotional testimony from members of London's family. One of the most significant witnesses was London Thomas's sister. Who recounted the events of April 5th, 2025, and she testified that she had driven London to the home of her former boyfriend, Jalen Pender, according to her testimony. She walked London to get out of the vehicle and walk towards the resident before driving away. She believed that this would just be an ordinary visit. London totally expected London to return home later that day. But instead, she never saw her sister alive again. But also as the hours had without a phone call or tax message. Her concern politically returned, leading her to report London message. Her testimony helped establish the final confirmed moment before London's disappearance. And it reinforced the timeline that investigators had spent months piecing together. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_19 33:48

Raise your right hand.

SPEAKER_14 33:54

Alright, ma'am. Could you please say your name?

SPEAKER_11 33:56

No, you say a passion.

SPEAKER_14 33:59

So did you know a person by the name of London Thomas?

SPEAKER_11 34:03

Yes, she was my sister.

SPEAKER_14 34:04

Alright, and was she your biological sister?

SPEAKER_11 34:07

Yes, my same mother.

SPEAKER_14 34:09

Alright. And uh how old are you?

SPEAKER_13 34:13

Me, uh I'm 20 years old.

SPEAKER_14 34:16

Okay. And did something happen to your sister, London?

SPEAKER_11 34:22

Yes, unfortunately.

SPEAKER_14 34:24

Okay. Did she pass away?

SPEAKER_11 34:25

Yes.

SPEAKER_14 34:26

Okay. Now, prior to her passing, had you, you know, were you friends with your sister, London?

SPEAKER_11 34:33

Yes, we were very close.

SPEAKER_14 34:35

Okay. Now, did you know on or about April 5th of 2025? Had she had any boyfriends over the past in the in the years prior to April 5th?

SPEAKER_11 34:50

Yes.

SPEAKER_14 34:51

And do you know, did you ever meet or know of any of her boyfriends?

SPEAKER_11 34:55

Yes.

SPEAKER_14 34:55

Okay, do you see one of her boyfriends or former boyfriends in court today? Yes. Can you point to that person describe what they're wearing? The director of witnesses identified uh Jalen Pettigrass. Now, prior to April 4th or April 5th of last year, was she currently dating or in a relationship with Jalen Pettigrass as of that day?

SPEAKER_13 35:19

Oh, yes, to my knowledge.

SPEAKER_14 35:21

Okay. Do you know whether they had broken up or whether they were still together?

SPEAKER_13 35:25

I don't know, they were on love pretty frequently.

SPEAKER_14 35:28

Okay. So well, how long do you know of that the two of them had been talking to each other or been in a relationship with one another?

SPEAKER_11 35:36

Probably since like maybe 2022.

SPEAKER_14 35:40

Okay. And over the course of those three years, had you ever met Jeb Pentacras before?

unknown 35:46

Yes.

SPEAKER_14 35:46

Do you know where he was living over those years?

SPEAKER_13 35:51

At first, um he used to live with his mother, and then he started living with his grandparents after a while.

SPEAKER_14 35:58

Alright, now when he was living with his grandparents, do you know in what city he was living in?

SPEAKER_11 36:04

Ynkster.

SPEAKER_14 36:05

Okay. And had you ever been over to the house he was standing at over in Inkster?

SPEAKER_11 36:10

Yes.

SPEAKER_14 36:11

And had you ever been to like his bedroom inside that house?

SPEAKER_13 36:16

Yes.

SPEAKER_14 36:16

Okay, so are you familiar with what it looks like, where his bedroom was?

SPEAKER_13 36:20

Yes, I've only been to the bedroom, that's all.

SPEAKER_14 36:22

Okay, and where was the bedroom located within the house?

SPEAKER_13 36:25

In the basement.

SPEAKER_14 36:27

On April 4th, well, actually, April 5th of 2025, did you ever come into contact with your sister early in the morning?

SPEAKER_13 36:35

No.

SPEAKER_14 36:36

Okay, when was the first time you interacted with her from like the fourth going to the fifth?

SPEAKER_13 36:40

Uh she had called me when I was at my baby father's house, and then she was letting you know that she was about to go home and she wanted you to come pick her up.

SPEAKER_14 36:49

Okay. Now did you have access to a car?

SPEAKER_13 36:52

Yes, it was my vehicle.

SPEAKER_14 36:53

Did your sister London have access to a car?

SPEAKER_13 36:56

Oh, no.

SPEAKER_14 36:57

Okay, but you did, but she didn't? Yes. Okay. And the house where you were at your baby father's house?

SPEAKER_13 37:05

Yes. Before we were to meet.

SPEAKER_14 37:09

And you don't have to tell me what the address is, but is that house located in Detroit? Yes. So ultimately, did you ever take London somewhere?

SPEAKER_11 37:19

Yes.

SPEAKER_14 37:19

Describe what you did. Describe what you did.

SPEAKER_13 37:22

Okay, so I went to go get her from my mother's house. We went directly to my baby father's uh older sister house. We were there for a good little while, we were just chilling, and then I took her to Jalen's house.

SPEAKER_14 37:38

Alright, so eventually you took her to Jalen's house?

SPEAKER_13 37:42

Yes.

SPEAKER_14 37:42

In Inkster? Yes. Before you did that, the house that you're at, it's your the father of your child's sister's house? Yes. Was that house located in Detroit?

SPEAKER_13 37:52

No, it was in Highland Park, I believe.

SPEAKER_14 37:55

Okay. So you went from Highland Park, Detroit area to Inkster? Yes. And about what time was that?

SPEAKER_13 38:04

It was pretty late. I was in probably around like 3. It was around that time. Like we were there until like 3. Then you always take some minutes to be something.

SPEAKER_14 38:16

Now when we say 3, are we talking 3 in the afternoon or 3 in the morning?

SPEAKER_13 38:20

8 a.m.

SPEAKER_14 38:21

Yes. Okay. So would this be 3 a.m. on April 5th of 2025?

SPEAKER_13 38:26

Correct.

SPEAKER_14 38:27

Okay. And did your sister in London say why she wanted to go to Jalen's house?

SPEAKER_13 38:35

Not really. I know she had his phone.

SPEAKER_14 38:38

Okay.

SPEAKER_13 38:38

She just wanted to go over there, but I didn't think nothing of it. It was pretty usual to me.

SPEAKER_14 38:44

How did you know that she had Jalen Pendergrass' phone?

SPEAKER_13 38:48

When she got to my mother's house, she called me and told me that she had it.

SPEAKER_14 38:52

Okay. So when you went to Inkster, who was in the car with you when you went to Inkster?

SPEAKER_13 38:59

It was me, Lendon, my baby father, and my daughter.

SPEAKER_14 39:03

Four of you. Went to Inkster. Did you stop anywhere on the way?

SPEAKER_13 39:09

Um, not that I recall.

SPEAKER_14 39:11

Alright, so what happened when you arrived in Inkster?

SPEAKER_13 39:15

Um, when we got to the grandparents' house, uh, we were sitting there. We had pulled up, it was on the other side of the street. Linda had got out of the car, she left all her things. She said um she's gonna come get them once she is in the house. But she was off there for like maybe five minutes. I was like, I told my the father and my child, I'll be right back because I'm gonna go. So I had gone back there to his backyard and we were knocking on the doors and when you first pulled up to the address, you said that London got out of the car?

SPEAKER_14 39:53

Yes. Did the rest of you stay in the car?

SPEAKER_13 39:56

Yes, but then shortly after I had got out and I left my the my baby with her dad.

SPEAKER_14 40:02

Okay. So when you got out of the car, did you go to the front door or a different door?

SPEAKER_13 40:07

No, we went straight to the back door. You know, she that's the door she usually answers to.

SPEAKER_14 40:12

All right. And did you see London trying to get into the house? Did she try and open a door? Did she knock on the door? What did she do?

SPEAKER_13 40:20

Yes, she knocked on the door sometimes, knocked on the windows because you know we figured she was thinking, so we were knocking off the basement windows.

SPEAKER_14 40:29

Okay. Uh as you were standing out there, did you see the door ever open and London go inside?

SPEAKER_13 40:37

No, no, I was staying there.

SPEAKER_14 40:39

Alright, so as you were standing outside and you know the door was being knocked on, what did you decide to do next?

SPEAKER_13 40:46

Well, we just kept trying for a good little minute. Um after a while, I had most of my car to check on the pavement.

SPEAKER_14 40:54

Okay, so you go back to the car. Where did London go?

SPEAKER_13 40:58

She had stayed in the back. She did um while we were knocking, you said she did tell me to go look at the front door and see if there was a key under the door, but it wasn't.

SPEAKER_14 41:08

So when you go back to the car, did something happen when you got back to the car?

SPEAKER_13 41:11

When I got back to the car, it was a lot going on, even though my baby was for months and she breastfed, she was crying a lot. And um the father of my child, you didn't know what you didn't overstimulated. I had to call the baby down. But when I got into the car, it is noticed that Lyndon's phone was ringing, and the father of my child told me the phone was ringing ever since we got out of the car.

SPEAKER_14 41:35

Where was this phone that you saw was ringing?

SPEAKER_13 41:38

It was in the backseat. It was Lindy's phone.

SPEAKER_14 41:40

Alright, did you answer the phone?

SPEAKER_13 41:42

I did.

SPEAKER_14 41:43

And when you answered the phone, did you recognize any of the voices on the other end of the phone?

SPEAKER_13 41:48

Um, yes, it was Jalen.

SPEAKER_14 41:50

All right. Have you ever talked with Jalen before? Yes. Um, how many times do you think you've talked with him in your life?

SPEAKER_13 41:58

A pretty decent amount of times enough to know that he was home on the phone.

SPEAKER_14 42:02

All right. And what did Jalen say when you answered the phone?

SPEAKER_13 42:05

He asked it that was London at the door knocking, and I was pretty upset at the time because you know I'm trying to I'm overstipulating now too. So I'm yelling at him. And I said, you know, letting her in, it's late. I have my daughter up here, you know, come on. Open the door.

SPEAKER_14 42:24

So when you tried to find out where the location of London's device was, what did you find or see?

SPEAKER_13 42:31

It had it was said that she was at some elementary school or near some trailer parks in Westland, Michigan.

SPEAKER_14 42:41

Now, did you think that was unusual? Yes. Why is that?

SPEAKER_13 42:45

Because I dropped her off in Instagram.

SPEAKER_14 42:48

So, did you have any reason why she would why that device would be at a field in Westland?

SPEAKER_13 42:54

I wasn't certain. That's why I was so eager to figure out.

SPEAKER_14 42:58

So, what did you do after you saw that?

SPEAKER_13 43:01

I called my mom. I let her know what was going on, even though I don't answer her phone. And I dropped my baby off to my mother to then go to the location in Westland.

SPEAKER_14 43:14

Alright. And so did you go to the location where it indicated the device was?

SPEAKER_13 43:19

Yes.

SPEAKER_14 43:19

Did you see London there when you got there?

SPEAKER_13 43:22

No.

SPEAKER_14 43:22

Did you find her device when you got there?

SPEAKER_13 43:25

No.

SPEAKER_14 43:25

Did you go to the same house that you'd gone to earlier that day? Yes. And when you went there, did you see London there?

SPEAKER_13 43:32

No.

SPEAKER_14 43:32

Did you see her phone there?

SPEAKER_13 43:34

No. Um when I got there, instantly I see his mother coming from the or she was in the backyard, but as I was getting out the car, she was walking down the driveway.

SPEAKER_14 43:45

Alright, now when you say his mother, whose mother are you talking about?

SPEAKER_13 43:47

Jayla Pendergrad.

SPEAKER_14 43:49

Alright, this person that you referred to, do you see them in court today?

SPEAKER_13 43:52

Yes.

SPEAKER_14 43:52

Can you point to that person to describe what they were? Uh did you talk to her?

SPEAKER_13 43:57

Well, she came down the driveway as I was walking in.

SPEAKER_14 44:00

Yes. Okay, and what did you ask her anything or what did you say to her?

SPEAKER_13 44:04

Uh I'll basically say London. Have you seen her? She's not answering the phone.

SPEAKER_14 44:10

And what was Charlotte's response to that?

SPEAKER_24 44:12

She said no, I haven't seen her. So as the case continued through the legal system, prosecutors and defense attorneys prepared for what was expected to be a lengthy trial. However, the direction of the case changed dramatically on july second, 2026. Jalen Pendergrass appeared in court and he accepted a plea agreement. Standing before the judge, Jalen formally pleaded guilty to a second degree murder charge. So as part of the plea hearing, the judge asked Jalen to explain in his own words what had happened on April 5th, 2025. And according to his statement in court, Jalen said that London came to his home in Inkster, where the two became involved in a physical altercation. Jalen admitted that during that confrontation, he strangled London and that his actions directly caused her death. His guilty plea meant that for the first time he accepted responsibility for causing London's death. Following the plea, the court scheduled Jalen's sentencing for July 31st, 2026. A judge is expected to determine the length of his prison sentence. For London's family, the guilty plea marked an important step in the legal process, although it could never undo the pain of losing a daughter, a sister, a loved one whose future had been cut short at just seventeen years old. While Jalen's case moves towards the sentencing phase, the legal proceedings against his mother, Charlotte Pendergrass, remains ongoing. Prosecutors allege that she played an active role in the events surrounding London's death and the efforts to conceal the crime afterward. London's father, Cedric Salisbury, spoke to reporters about standing before those cameras. Cedric said that he was feeling a mix of emotion. There was relief, but that relief was overshadowed by the pain of losing his daughter. He made it clear that nothing would bring London back. Cedric described the arrest and arraignment as long overdue. He explained that the family had spent nearly six months waiting for charges to be announced. And that period, filled with the uncertainty and grief, his focus, he said, was not on a quick arrest, but on making sure that justice was served. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_12 47:07

So um what's going through your mind when you are in court seeing these two? Oh, long overdue. We'd like to thank God for this moment. We'd like to thank um prosecutor Kim Worthy team. Uh we want to thank the FBI, the Michigan State Police, um, Detroit police, everybody who came out, volunteered, walked with us, and searched. Uh, we're just so happy. Just praise for this moment that's long ago for due.

SPEAKER_19 47:35

When you see these two in court, what would you say to them?

SPEAKER_12 47:40

So angry and I'm so happy and satisfied at the same time. You know, we we all knew that they were pretty much responsible for what happened. So now we're moving forward, we're moving in the right direction, going for justice for London.

SPEAKER_00 47:55

One of the attorneys said that uh Jalen had nothing to do with the death of London Thomas. To that, you say what?

SPEAKER_12 48:02

Heartbreaking. I couldn't believe they said that. That's that's crazy. We hope they get the maximum penalty for you know just cause of what happened when they don't.

SPEAKER_16 48:12

What is this sound like though? I mean, just the the agony of, you know, it's kind of been going back and forth, charges, no charges, and then finally, six months later.

SPEAKER_12 48:23

Six months later. It's been an emotional roller coaster, heartbreaking. You know, we just kept our faith. We believed this day was gonna come, and everybody, we all knew that they did something. And we're just happy that the light has been shown and thankful.

SPEAKER_20 48:39

Well, what took so long?

SPEAKER_12 48:41

I have no idea. Hopefully, they did a thorough investigation. Maybe that's why it took so long. And, you know, we can move forward and still wrap this up so my daughter can rest in peace. Oh man, she's literally missed everybody. Her friends, they still call me to this day. They everybody miss her. So, you know, just keeping her spirit alive and you know, justice will be served.

SPEAKER_16 49:08

Was there anything you wanted to say?

SPEAKER_08 49:10

I'm just happy. Just happy. And just I gonna finally be served. I just wanna thank God and get what they can't come.

SPEAKER_16 49:21

Was it difficult being in the same room as them?

SPEAKER_08 49:24

Oh yes. Uh you can look at them and see they both something wrong with them. Uh and I don't feel they need to be on the streets because it's not safe with nobody else's kids out there. You you knew him, I never met him before, because you know, she was with us. She went home to her mother. I heard about him, but I never saw him. I never met him, but if I would have, I probably would have stopped him from talking to him. Cause you can see simply it's something wrong with him.

SPEAKER_24 50:05

In the days after London's body was found, her family and community gathered at a park in Redford for a candlelight visual and balloon release to honor London's life. On what would have been London's eighteenth birthday, surrounded by family members, friends, classmates, and supporters, they shared memories of her. Prayers were offered for London's family as they faced an unimaginable loss. But as those balloons floated into the sky, many hoped the gesture would serve as a lasting tribute to a life taken far too soon. The visual was not only a time to mourn, but also an opportunity to celebrate the love, joy, and happiness that London brought to the people around her. London Thomas is remembered as much more than the victim of a tragic crime. She was a daughter, a sister, a friend, and a young woman who was looking forward to graduation prom and the future she had worked so hard to build. Although her life was cut short at just 17 years old, her family continues to honor her memory by seeking justice, supporting one another, and ensuring that her story is never forgotten. They continue to remind the world that London mattered. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_02 51:41

This is a case that rocked the community, and tonight family and friends and others who loved her came together to honor her memory. Last years Camilla Mary was at that vigil. She joins us live with more, I'm assuming Camilla had been so emotional.

SPEAKER_15 51:54

It really was Hillary. I mean, we're talking about a lot of sadness, but also celebrating the life of this young woman who had such an impact on so many people. Celebrating the life of London Thomas on what would have been her day.

SPEAKER_08 52:22

That's a lovely young girl. Getting ready to graduate. Something like this happened. I'm gonna remember her as my little baby girl. That's how I'm gonna remember her. But she was a mom. They need to bite, but they don't. She didn't need to be every day we met together. We try to stay together even.

SPEAKER_09 53:04

I'm here. I'm trying to call this because I'm always a money. I'm so much little money for any 18-year-old.

SPEAKER_15 53:18

Saturday, after we all family and friends gathered in a parking lot.

SPEAKER_06 53:27

Oh god, we got a lot of family. So a lot of support, so it makes it a lot easier to deal with.

SPEAKER_09 53:33

A beautiful beautiful smile.

SPEAKER_15 53:44

Everyone here, you know. They are steadfast and of course wanting justice. And now that they have had the burial, the funeral, and then this vigil, they said that really they're focused on getting justice for London Thomas. I asked the uncle, is he uh confident that they will get justice? He said, absolutely without a doubt. So they have faith in the legal system, and hopefully they will get resolution sooner than later.

SPEAKER_02 54:22

We're hoping right along with them. Thank you so much, Camille Mary, live for us tonight.

SPEAKER_24 54:26

London Thomas was a seventeen-year-old young woman with a promising future, with her entire life ahead of her, coming from a loving family, a tight, close knit family. London's case is a painful reminder that relationship violence can have devastating consequences, especially for young people. This case also highlights the importance of listening to loved ones and recognizing warning signs and ensuring that every victim of intimate partner violence receives justice. London Thomas's life matter. And although nothing can bring London back, her family has never given up the fight for justice in her case. When I think about this case, I think about the defense attorney standing in that courtroom and saying that London had ecstasy and alcohol in her system. And this may have contributed to her death. I don't give a damn if London had crack cocaine in her system. She still deserves to be here. And we know that that is not the reason she lost her life. Her cause of death was strangulation, not anything she had in her system. And let me say this when it comes to our black girls, it's always an excuse of what they had in their system, other than the person who is responsible for taking their life. Shame on you for bringing that up in the courtroom. Tell me, someone having ecstasy and alcohol in their system does not justify a mother and son duo taking that young girl's life, placing it in a container, and putting it in a car to sit outside like trash. The sad part about this is for some parents, anything goes when it comes to their kids. And in this case, helped your son to conceal a murder of someone else's child. I just don't understand how Charlotte Pendergrass thought that this was okay. You think it's okay to help your son cover up a murder so that he won't get in trouble. You didn't think about this young girl's life, her family, you didn't think about any of these things. You were already setting up the excuse for your son's behavior, and that is terrible. Some people will support their kids through anything, through all of the worst things. What were you thinking? You didn't even call 911 because I would have called on my own son. I do not support when my kids are doing wrong. Now why would you? These are the types of situations that needs to be studied. You did all of this to protect your son, and both of you are going into prison. Make it make sense. The unhealthy relationship that some of you mothers have with your sons needs to be studied. No one wins in this situation. London Thomas' family has and will celebrate many birthdays and many holidays without her sitting at the table. Thanksgiving, no London. Christmas, no London. And that was taken away by two people, a mother and a son, who did not value this baby's life. You two ought to be ashamed of yourself. I hope and pray that when this sentencing happens at the end of July, that you too receive the maximum sentence. The heartache you've put this family through, the torture you put this child through is unimaginable. It's unacceptable, and it's no excuse for any of it. My heart goes out to London Thomas' family for the life she should be living, the future that should have never been snuffed out by a boyfriend who is six years older than her. Make it make sense. London Thomas, may your sweet and beautiful soul forever rest in peace. If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, or if you feel unsafe in your relationship, please know that help is available. You do not have to wait until things become physical or to reach out. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline 247-365 at 1-800-799-SAFE. That is 1-800-799-272-233. You can text the word start 288-2788. Or you may also visit thehotline.org. Your safety matters, that your fear is valid, and support is available when you're ready. We have officially reached 100 episodes of Senseless True Crime, and I honestly couldn't have done it without you. Whether you've listened from the very beginning or just recently found this podcast, thank you for spending your time with me each week. Your support, your messages, your emails, your reviews, and simply pressing play have meant more than you know. Creating this podcast has been a labor of love for me because every case is researched with care. These victims deserve to have their stories told with dignity and respect. Reaching this milestone reminds me why I started this journey in the first place. Here's to 100 episodes and many more to come. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. And until next time, stay safe, stay informed, take care of one another, and I'll see you in the next episode.