Friend Arrested After Missing 21-Year-Old Woman Found Dead In Attic Of Hazel Park Home

HAZEL PARK (WWJ) - A 23-year-old man has been arrested after the body of a missing Troy woman was found wrapped in a tarp in the attic of a Hazel Park home.

Hazel Park Police Chief Martin Barner said Jordan McClanahan confessed to killing his longtime friend, 21-year-old Jessica Leigh White at his home, on E. Woodward Heights Blvd.

An autopsy by the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office determined she'd died from strangulation by ligature.

White's mother filed a missing persons report over a week ago, saying her daughter had disappeared unexpectedly. Her last contact with her mother was a cryptic text about McClanahan.

Karen White of Troy posted on her Facebook page that she received the text from her daughter just after 2:30 a.m. Saturday. Leigh was last with McClanahan in Hazel Park, according to the mom.

Questioned by detectives, McClanahan previously said White had left to visit someone in the 7 Mile and John R area in Detroit — setting off a search by law enforcement and volunteers in that area.

White's remains were found Tuesday night in a roofline storage area inside the bungalow, adjacent to McClanahan's bedroom.

"It's disturbing to know that this gentleman was assisting the family in attempting to locate a person that he knew (was dead)," Barner said. "We know they have been friends since grade school."

It was earlier reported that White's boyfriend was in custody, but Barner said they two were not believed to have been romantically involved.

Investigators say they believe White was killed two weeks ago, the same day she was reported missing.

Barner did not talk about a possible motive, but said he expected McClanahan will be charged with murder.

As an investigation continues, Barner said McClanahan's family members, who didn't know about the body, have been cooperative.