A body was found in the New Jersey home of Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins on Tuesday — and police have launched a homicide investigation, authorities said.
A worker discovered the corpse in the basement of the Fair Lawn residence at around 10:30 a.m., while the football star was in Florida, ESPN reported.
The victim was identified as Roosevelt Rene, 25.
Officials from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office told WCBS/Channel 2 that Rene was a family friend who had been staying at Jenkins’ house. It’s unclear how he died or when.
“The manner of death will be determined by the Bergen County Medical Examiner’s Office after a postmortem exam,” officials said in a statement.
Neighbors told The Post that Jenkins, 29, often lets family members and friends stay at the home when he isn’t there.
“They are really friendly,” said one neighbor, Danielle Barnes, 31. “When it’s not football season, they go to Florida.”
Local residents said Jenkins lives with his girlfriend and brother. It’s unclear if either was at the luxury, six-bedroom home when the body was found.
According to NJ.com, Rene and Jenkins knew each other through the NFL player’s own rap music, which he released under the name “rabbit.”
Rene reportedly produced music under the name Trypps Beatz. Public records show that he had previously lived in Texas, Georgia and Spring Valley, NY.
In addition to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Fair Lawn Police Department is investigating his death.
Evidence markers could be seen inside Jenkins’ garage on Tuesday night as detectives gathered evidence in brown paper bags. At one point, investigators were spotted searching a white Lexus sedan with Florida plates in the driveway. A Land Rover was also there.
Jenkins has been in Florida since the end of Giants minicamp two weeks ago.
“His girlfriend just had a baby,” Barnes said.
The Pro Bowler was reportedly notified about the death Tuesday morning. The Giants said in a statement that they were “monitoring the situation.”
Jenkins was drafted in 2012 by the St. Louis Rams. He played for them for four seasons before signing with the Giants in 2016. Records show he then bought the Fair Lawn home for $500,000.
“He has always been a good neighbor,” said one local resident, who asked not to be identified.
“They have lived here for two years with no problems,” another said. “It’s surprising.”
Additional reporting by Phil Mushnick and Paul Schwartz