FLORISSANT, Mo. – A 15-year-old was found dead Monday behind a local grocery store in Coldwater Creek.

Investigators with the Florissant Police Department were called to investigate a possible crime scene in a wooded area behind the Dierbergs in the 200 block of N. Highway 67.

Florissant Police Chief Timothy Fagan said on Sunday evening, the family of Deonte Jenkins contacted authorities to say they had not heard from him. Deonte’s mother told police that her son’s friends told her they were all together running toward the creek and he was last seen jumping in the creek.

Police learned Deonte had been in a vehicle with three other people that had been reported stolen out of Hazelwood. The car crashed near Highway 67 and Washington. The people in the car ditched the vehicle and ran toward the rear of the Dierbergs. Hazelwood police arrested three people and believed they had taken everyone in the stolen vehicle into custody.

Police began search and rescue efforts late Sunday night and continued that effort on Monday. The Metro West Fire Protection District Dive Team, along with the Florissant Valley Fire Protection District, Pattonville Fire Protection District, Missouri Highway Patrol, and Gateway Search dogs participated in the search.

Chief Fagan said divers found Deonte’s body at 3:30 p.m. Monday. The boy appeared to have drowned, he said.