The last time Jermaine Christopher Scott spent quality time with his favorite niece was June 25, 2009. Sherri Norwood turned 17 that day, and it also happened to be the day his idol Michael Jackson died.
“I had a dinner party and he made my day really special,” Sherri said. “He made sure I had a wonderful time on my birthday.”
Six days later, on July 1, 2009, Jermaine’s body was found in Fairmount Park. He had been shot, and his murder remains unsolved. He was 36 years old.
Jermaine’s death has left a void in the lives of his loved ones that time has not erased.
“We had a wonderful relationship and an amazing bond,” Sherri said. “There was never a time that he disappointed me or made me upset. Anytime I needed to talk to him about anything he was always there for me and I miss him.”
Jermaine was born Nov. 4, 1972 in Philadelphia and grew up around 31st and Norris in Strawberry Mansion. His older sister is Sherri’s mother.
Sherri described her uncle as a loving and caring person who was always willing to help anyone who needed it.
Jermaine, whom Sherri called Uncle Maine, was transgender and he found support and acceptance within his family.
“Everybody loved him,” Sherri said. “It didn’t matter what he was. I supported him in anything he did no matter what.”
Jermaine loved slow jams, especially the song “If You Say My Eyes are Beautiful” by Jermaine Jackson and Whitney Houston, which has the lyrics, “If you say my eyes are beautiful, it’s because they’re looking at you / And if you could only see yourself, you’d feel the same way, too.”
His favorite was Michael Jackson, though, and his death was a blow. The song he loved the most was “Man in the Mirror.”
Even though so much time has passed since Jermaine’s murder, Sherri is still hoping he will get justice someday.
Jermaine is laid to rest at Merion Memorial Park in Bala Cynwyd, next to his mother.
The City of Philadelphia is offering up to $20,000 as a reward for anyone that comes forward with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Jermaine’s murder. Anonymous calls can be submitted by calling the Citizens Crime Commission at 215-546-TIPS.
