Hazel Park Man Charged With Murder, Desecration Of A Body In Female Friend's Death
HAZEL PARK (WWJ) - A man whose longtime friend was found dead in the attic of his Hazel Park home has been ordered held without bond.
The Oakland County Prosecutor's Office says 23-year-old Jordan McClanahan is charged with first degree murder and desecration of a body in the death of 21-year-old Jessica White of Troy, who had been missing for over a week when her body was found Tuesday night.
It's alleged that McClanahan strangled White with a belt, cut off her fingertips, wrapped her in a tarp, and put her in an attic storage area adjacent to his bedroom.
White's mother told police she hadn't heard from her daughter since early in the morning of Saturday, April 23, when she received a cryptic text about an argument between McClanahan and his father.
Questioned by detectives at this home, McClanahan admitted that White had been there, but claimed she'd left to visit someone in the 7 Mile and John R area in Detroit — setting off a search by police and volunteers in that area.
When her body was discovered, McClanahan allegedly admitted to killing White.
Police have not discussed a possible motive, but said the two had been friends since high school.
At an an arraignment at Hazel Park District Court Thursday, McClanahan told the judge that had taken oxycontin as well as Xanax and was drinking alcohol on the night of White's death.
Zack Brovin, a friend of the White family, called the drug defense "a lame excuse."
"I want to hurt the kid, truthfully; I'm very angry the things he did to her, you know? It's uncalled for," he told WWJ's Jon Hewett outside the courtroom. "There's no excuse...about the mix of drugs. The kid does this every day, he didn't kill nobody this long, you know what I mean?"
On his Facebook page, where White appears in photos with McClanahan, he describes himself as "the most mellow and understanding guy you will meet, until you screw me over."
In his About Me blurb, McClanahan continues: "I hate drama people that can't talk about problems face to face like an adult. I love to have a good time and am easily amused and love girls with tattoos."
His chosen favorite quote, attributed to Damon Pope: "Revenge is never about the greater good; it's a visceral need that has to be satisfied or the strong lose focus."
McClanahan faces up to life in prison without parole for the murder charge and 10 years for desecration of a body.
