By Howard Koplowitz
A man found dead inside a truck in South Ozone Park last week was identified Friday as a former bodyguard for rapper Busta Rhymes, police said.
The body of Jermaine Williams, 35, of 232 Blair Ave. in the Bronx, was discovered by police May 28 wrapped inside a comforter in the bed of a white pickup truck near 132-39 79th St. in South Ozone Park, police said. He was shot in his head and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
There had been no arrests in the case as of Tuesday, according to police.
Williams was a former bodyguard for rapper Busta Rhymes, a Brooklyn native whose real name is Trevor Smith, but he had not worked for the artist in eight years.
In a statement released by Rhymes' lawyer, Scott Leemon, the rapper expressed his condolences to Williams' family.
"We have all suffered a great loss and Jermaine Williams will be deeply missed," the rapper said. "He has remained a dear friend, even though we have not worked together in eight years. Our condolences and prayers go out to his family and we ask that we be allowed to mourn the loss of our friend in peace."
Williams was in Queens visiting his grandmother, his family said, according to the Daily News.
Rhymes was on a European tour when the incident occurred.
Williams is the second bodyguard employed by Rhymes to be murdered. Israel Ramirez was fatally shot in 2006 in Brooklyn while Rhymes was making a music video.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173.
