A man found dead in the trunk of a Birmingham car in Ensley has been identified as that of a popular Birmingham rapper.

The Jefferson County Coroner's Office on Tuesday identified the victim as Paul Matthew Carter. Carter, 32, is better known as Bam Bam Carter.

Carter's body was discovered in the early morning hours of Thursday, June 8. Birmingham police and firefighters responded at 3:22 a.m. to a report of a car on fire at 2033 Fayette Avenue. When Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the blaze, they discovered the body in the trunk of what appears to be a four-door sedan, said Birmingham police Sgt. Bryan Shelton.

The car was off to the side in an alley, and so heavily damaged that investigators initially couldn't determine the make or model. Carter's body was also unrecognizable, and ultimately identified through dental records.

Those who knew Carter recognized his vehicle from news reports, and said he had not been seen since in the two days prior to the discovery of his body.

Carter's promotional video says this about him: "Bam Bam gives a real look at what's going on it the streets today. Hard lyrics with a message. Bam Bam gives back to his community and helps mentor the inner-city youth."

Family members have not been up to talking about his death, but said this, "He loved his music."

No arrests have been announced in Carter's slaying.

Birmingham producer Bennie Hurst, of BOMB Productions, said he knew Carter for about 10 years and helped him put out his first CD. "He always was a humble guy,'' Hurst said. "One of the nicest, coolest guys I've ever met."

Carter's death has devastated those who knew him. "He was all about helping anybody he could. It's eating me up. I can't even eat. That was my friend,'' said friend Ashley Rogers. "I've been knowing Bam for 12 years and have never known for him to do anything wrong to or towards anybody."

"His legacy will live on through all of that loved him and his music,'' Rogers said. "I'm sick to my stomach cause they didn't have to do him like that."