Teen's body found near country club in Ladue

LADUE, Mo. -- The St. Louis Area Major Case Squad is investigating after a jogger discovered the body of a teenager in a posh area of suburban St. Louis.

The victim was identified Thursday as Rodney Rankins Jr., 16, of north St. Louis County. His body was discovered at around 7 p.m. Wednesday along an abandoned railroad right of way often used by joggers and bikers near Old Warson Country Club in Ladue, west of St. Louis.

"We are investigating it as a homicide," said Bill Baker, deputy commander of the Major Case Squad.

An autopsy was planned. Baker would not speculate on the cause of death. He said Rankins had no relatives or known connections to the Ladue area.

Ladue has previously had just two murders in the past 50 years.