By Mary O’KEEFE

Los Angeles County Sheriff Detectives are now calling the death of a Santa Clarita woman whose body was found in the Angeles National Forest a homicide.

“It is now a homicide. We are still unable to locate the [woman’s] husband, Jeep or dog,” said Det. Q. Rodriguez, LASD homicide bureau.

The Santa Clarita couple and their dog had been reported missing since the weekend of June 11. Renata Klein’s body was discovered down an embankment by Public Works employees in the Big Tujunga area of the Angeles National Forest Road near mile marker 8.95 on June 15. The victim’s body was found in a remote area of the Angeles National Forest on a road that was closed to traffic.

“[Her body] wasn’t covered by anything,” said Rodriquez adding that she was found down a mountainside and not just left on the “side of the road.”

Detectives continue their investigation into the homicide and the whereabouts of her husband Dusan.

“We don’t know if he is a suspect, witness or victim,” Rodriguez said.

Renata’s cause of death has not been released.

Detectives are hoping someone may have seen the gold Jeep.

Since the Angeles Crest Highway opened the area has been very active. Rodriguez said that although the section of Big Tujunga where the victim was found is closed there were still several vehicles that drove the road in the few hours detectives were there recovering the body.

Detectives are asking for the public’s help with any information pertaining to the incident. Anyone who may have witnessed someone drive away from the area or saw the couple’s champagne (gold) Jeep Cherokee, California license plate 4FLN519 with an “American Travel” sticker on the rear window are asked to contact the LASD homicide unit, Sgt. R. Martindale at (323) 890-5611 or Det. Q. Rodriguez at (323) 890-5551. Information can be given anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477, texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to 274637, or going to http://lacrimestoppers.org.

  HOMICIDE, JUNE 23, Mary Okeefe, News