What to Know
- A body was found in the New Jersey home of Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins in late June
- Jenkins wasn't home at the time; he was in Florida -- the football player's brother, William Jenkins, has been charged in the case
- The victim was 25-year-old family friend Roosevelt Rene; Janoris Jenkins says he and Rene were collaborating on music production
Giants star cornerback Janoris Jenkins has broken his silence on the body found in his New Jersey home two weeks ago.
Jenkins' brother was charged with aggravated manslaughter shortly after the June 26 discovery of 25-year-old Roosevelt Rene's body in the NFL player's home in Fair Lawn. Jenkins hadn't responded to repeated inquiries -- until now.
In an Instagram post Thursday afternoon, Jenkins wrote, "With regret and sadness I wish to inform the fans, and the public a good friend of mine Roosevelt Rene a.k.a. Trypps Beats was found dead at my place of residence."
Jenkins' post confirmed what had been previously reported -- that he was in Florida at the time the body was discovered and that Rene was a good friend. The athlete said the two had been collaborating on a music production.
"It truly hurts my heart to know he has passed away," Jenkins wrote. "As this is an ongoing incident, I cannot answer any questions related to the investigation. I am praying for Roosevelt and his family."
He added a simple but poignant message, "I lost a true friend R.I.P Tryppz. #MuchLove."
Rene had been staying at Jenkins' home at the time. Jenkins' brother, William Jenkins, was initially taken into custody in Ontario County on a New York parole violation a day after the body was found; he was later charged with aggravated manslaughter in Bergen County. Prosecutors allege William Jenkins got into a physical fight with Rene, and that led to Rene's death. Information on an attorney for William Jenkins wasn't clear.
The Giants organization has said it is monitoring the situation.
