Jennifer Hudson's family murdered

[melanie]

http://i35.tinypic.com/2s12ds7.jpg
CHICAGO (CBS) ― The mother of Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson was reportedly found dead in a South Side home.

Two adults were found fatally shot at a home at 70th Street and Yale Avenue at 3 p.m. Friday, authorities said. A representative of the family's church, Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist, confirms that 57-year-old Darnell Hudson was one of the victims. The other victim was a man, the Chicago Fire Department said.

The shooting is believed to be domestic.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's office has been notified of the deaths of two people from a home at the address, but additional information is unavailable.

Hudson became famous after appearing on "American Idol" in 2004. She went on to win an Oscar for her performance in the film "Dreamgirls."

The STNG Wire contributed to this report.
Source (http://cbs2chicago.com/local/jennifer.hudson.murder.2.848234.html)


Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Jennifer Hudson's mother was one of two victims shot and killed in Chicago earlier today.

A neighbor tells TMZ the other victim was Jennifer's brother Jason. A cousin who lived nearby discovered the bodies.

We're told the two bodies were found dead on the scene at 2:44 PM. When the fire department arrived and discovered the bodies, police were brought in and the home was declared a crime scene.

A call to Hudson's rep was not immediately returned.

Story developing ...
Source (http://www.tmz.com/2008/10/24/jennifer-hudsons-mother-found-dead/)

On FOX news, they're saying that Jennifer's nephew is being held for ransom

rip.

[Hugo]

:shocked::shocked::shocked::shocked::shocked::shoc ked:

OMG, NO.

RIP. :sad:

[LemonJam]

Oh my God thats awful! :shocked:

RIP.

[Fom]

This is terrible... I feel so sorry for Jen =/

[Callum]

Oh my god, poor girl. I really feel for her, she must be going through hell and back. Sick bastard whoever did this.

[melanie]

My heart goes out to her, this is so awful..

She was about to get married too, I can't imagine how shes feeling right now.

[KKBL]

:shocked::shocked::shocked:
i dont know what to say..RIP

[Wildcat!]

No way! that's absolutely awful! Poor thing!

[Locke.]

:shocked: RIP :shocked:

[Hugo]

Stuff like this makes me sick.

[Hugo]

But seriously WTF is wrong with the world. This was a normal girl from a nice family who went on a singing contest to get her shot at what she loves best. She succeeds and then some sick **** murders her family?!

[Indierock&roll]

omg thats so sad!
i cant believe that x

[Dan_]

:shocked: just terrible.RIP :sad:

[Hugo]

Perez Hilton is sick.
He has posted this story but still manages to do a drawing on her picture.
:(

[MarkWaldorf]

Omg, that's so terrible. I feel sorry for her.
My mum is going to be devastated, she loves her.

[Locke.]

It's on Sky News now.

The breaking news bar says that "A relative of Hudson's is one of those killed, Hudson is not believed to be a victim."

[Dan_]

I've heard that Jennifer's 7 year old Nephew has gone missing.

[melanie]

Yeah I should edit my first post, it's not her niece, it's her nephew.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.tmz.com/media/2008/10/1024_julian_myspace.jpg

[Xander]

This is terrible, I can't imagine how shes feeling at this minute to know that some of her family have been killed, especially her mother. RIP, and thoughts go to Jennifer & family. :angel:
Some people are just sick to do this kind of stuff, cowards.

[Locke.]

The mother and brother of Oscar-winning Dreamgirls actress Jennifer Hudson were reportedly found dead at the home of Hudson's mother in the South Side neighborhood of Chicago, according to initial reports. Local television station CBS2 reported that two adults were found fatally shot at a home listed under the name of Hudson's mother, Darnell Donnerson; CBS2 also stated that the pastor of the Hudson's family church confirmed that one of the victims of was Hudson's 57-year-old mother. The website TMZ.com reported that a neighbor identified the other vicitm as Jennifer's brother, Jason, though there have been no official confirmations of the victims' identities. The Chicago police are searching for two suspects in the shooting, a man and a boy, and the crime was believed to have been committed around 3pm Friday afternoon. No further details were available at press time.

http://www.imdb.com/news/ni0590920/

[Tom4784]

How awful, I couldn't imagine what she must be going through. I hope her nephew turns out to be alright.

How awful...

[Callum]

Source: E! Online
A nightmare for this Dreamgirl.

Sources confirm to E! News that Jennifer Hudson's mother, 57-year-old Darnelle Hudson, was found dead Friday afternoon in a house on the South Side of Chicago.

Officer John Mirabelli of the Chicago Police Department tells E! that officers were called to the 7000 block of Yale Avenue, where they discovered two unresponsive adults—one male, one female—who had apparently been shot to death.

Mirabelli could not confirm the victims' identifies, but a source close to Hudson confirmed a local TV report that identified Darnelle Hudson as one of the deceased.

[Loukas]

OMFG!!!! :sad:

Poor thing. I heard she was just about to get married too!!

[Loukas]

From Fox News:

Actress and singer Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother were found shot to death Friday at Hudson's Chicago home, and police have issued an Amber Alert for Hudson's 7-year-old nephew.

Chicago Police Department spokeswoman Monique Bond says the deaths appear to be the result of domestic abuse.

Authorities think Julian King was taken from the home by William Balfour, a suspect in the double killing, and they think Balfour fled in a 1994 white Chevrolet Suburban.

Click here for photos.

Sources tell FOXNews.com Hudson is on her way to Chicago.

Deputy Chief Joseph Patterson said a family member entered the home around 3 p.m. Friday, found a woman fatally shot on the living room floor and left to notify authorities. Responding officers found a man fatally shot in the bedroom, Patterson said. There was no sign of forced entry.

The Cook County medical examiner's office says officials were dispatched Friday afternoon to the house. Sources on the scene tell FOXNews.com police haven't released to the bodies.

Police tape blocked access to the large, white house, where a crowd had gathered outside.

Hudson grew up in Chicago, and public listings show the address registered to her and her mother, Darnell Donerson. Hudson's brother is Jason Hudson.

Calls to Hudson's representative and attorney were not immediately returned.

[MarkWaldorf]

:sad:

[JOSHUAH!]

Such a shame, poor Jen

RIP

[Sticks]

Link to BBC story (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7690462.stm)

[xDramatick]

Woah.
R.I.P
Poor Jen =(

[Annie]

Thats horrible :puzzled:

[supernoodles!]

R.I.P

must be devastating

[xDramatick]

In what can only be described as a nightmare come to life, Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother were brutally murdered on Friday by what appears to be a disgruntles family member.

Here is the latest on this horrific story:

- It was Jennifer's older sister, Julia Hudson, who made the gruesome discovery after returning home from her day shift at a bus company.

- She summoned the police and also reportedly told them that her seven-year-old son was missing.

- Authorities immediately issued an all points bulletin for the missing boy, Julian King.

- Police said the youngster might have been abducted from the home and could be in the company of William Balfour, a suspect in the double homicide, who should be considered armed and dangerous. Balfour is also Julian's step-father.

- Balfour reportedly stole Jason Hudson's car on Friday, a white Chevrolet Suburban truck.

- On his MySpace page, Balfour described himself as a "proud parent" and played up his links to Jennifer Hudson. "I might as well let you all know that Jennifer Hudson is my wife's sister. I'm proud of her and wish her nothing but the best in what she do. But don't hit me up asking about her, other than that it's on!" he wrote.

- Balfour is currently on parole after serving six and a half years for attempted murder. He also has a conviction for possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

- The ex-con was taken into custody by police late Friday.

- Balfour was not co-operating with investigators and was not disclosing the whereabouts of the seven-year-old boy.

Source - Perez.

[Hugo]

I really hope her nephew is ok :sad:

[Lauren]

Oh my lord, that is horrific!

Condolences to herself & the rest of the family :sad:

[Locke.]

Latest: Police have arrested a suspect in the double shooting of singer/actress Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother - but the star's seven-year-old nephew who was taken from the scene of the crime is still missing.

Authorities took William Balfour, who was once married to the actress' sister Julia, into police custody on Friday after the victims were found gunned down in their Chicago, Illinois home earlier in the day.

Neighbours allegedly heard gunshots between 8am and 9am local time on the south side of the city, but emergency services weren't contacted until 3pm, when another relative, believed to be Hudson's cousin, discovered the star's 57-year-old mum Darnell Donnerson shot in the head in the living room.

Officers subsequently found the body of Jason Hudson, 29, who had died from bullet wounds to the chest, in an upstairs bedroom.

Police launched a child abduction alert after quizzing Balfour, 27, over the whereabouts of Julia's missing son Julian King, according to Fox News' Chicago affiliate.

Balfour has not been charged with any offence as WENN goes to press, but police spokeswoman Monique Bond said the deaths appeared to be connected to domestic abuse.

Hudson, whose song Spotlight is currently number one on the U.S. hip-hop charts, shot to fame after appearing on U.S. TV talent show American Idol. In 2007 she went on to win an Academy Award for best supporting actress for her role in Dreamgirls.

http://www.imdb.com/news/ns0000002/#ni0591141

[Jackie]

Such sad news RIP to them both and i do hope they find her nephew alive and well.

[Sticks]

I suspect the nephew will be found dead

They usually are.

[Conzors]

Originally posted by Sticks
I suspect the nephew will be found dead

They usually are.

So no sympathy towards her then?

RIP Jen's Family :(

[Sticks]

Originally posted by Conzors

So no sympathy towards her then?

RIP Jen's Family :(

Sorry forgot about that, I was answering the narrow question about the nephew

Of course are sympathies are with the family at this time

[Ruth]

Originally posted by Conzors
Originally posted by Sticks
I suspect the nephew will be found dead

They usually are.

So no sympathy towards her then?

RIP Jen's Family :(

Unfortunately - and I hope I am wrong - the nephew probably will be found dead.

The whole thing is just so terribly terribly sad - I cannot begin to imagine how those left behind must be feeling. I hope the family are allowed to grieve in private.

[Magic]

Cant believe this.
RIP

[melanie]

I'm not on top of this but the suspect is in custody but he won't talk. If he's the murderer then something bad happened to the nephew..

[melanie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSb-10gWBKg

Julian King, missing
http://i33.tinypic.com/2zibix5.jpg

Jason Hudson, the brother, shot
http://i38.tinypic.com/2m2gxet.jpg

Jennifer Hudson’s sister pleaded for the safe return of 7-year-old son Julian Hudson, who has been missing since Jennifer’s mother and brother were found dead in their Englewood home.

With tears running down her face, the heartbroken mom says: “All I ask, I don’t care who you are, just let my baby go. Please. I just want my son.”

Julia added that the deaths of her mother and brother has left her close-knit family “in a state of shock.”

The man labeled a suspect by police in the slaying of Jennifer and Julia’s mother and brother — the estranged husband of Julia — was in custody Saturday. No charges had been filed against William Balfour. His mother claims her son had nothing to do with the double homicide.

[Loukas]

Jennifer Hudson's family has put up a $100,000 (£65,000) reward for the safe return of her seven-year-old nephew.

Julian King has been missing since Hudson's mother and brother were shot dead in Chicago on Friday.

The bodies of 57-year-old Darnell Donerson and 29-year-old Jason Hudson were discovered at Donerson's home in the city's South Side. FBI officers have joined the search for the missing youngster, who is known by the names Juice Box and Dr. King.

Hudson thanked fans for their calls and prayers on her MySpace page. Her post reads: "Please keep praying for our family and that we get Julian King back home safely. If anyone has any information about his whereabouts please contact the authorities immediately."

A further statement from the family announced the reward and said they "appreciate the enormous amount of love, support and prayers they have received".

The boy's stepfather, William Balfour, 27, was taken into custody for questioning after being named in a police alert regarding the child's disappearance.

He was transferred to the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDC) on Sunday for a parole violation which Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond said was "unrelated to this investigation".

[melanie]

http://i36.tinypic.com/9vb9ea.jpg

Chicago cops have found the body of a child and are investigating whether it's the body of Jennifer Hudson's nephew, Julian King. The medical examiner has not yet made an ID, but we are now told the body is that of a 7-year-old African American boy, the same age and race as Julian (Scroll down for live video of crime scene).

The body was found inside a 1994 white Chevy Suburban. It is the same SUV owned by Jason Hudson, the murdered brother of Jennifer. Before his arrest, cops were looking for William Balfour, the suspect and estranged husband of Jennifer's sister. The license plate of the Suburban matches Jason's SUV.

The SUV was found a few miles from the area where cops arrested Balfour.

The SUV is now being towed from the scene. Unclear if the body is still at the scene. No ID so far.

Neighbors say the vehicle has been parked there since Saturday. Balfour was arrested Friday night.

TMZ

[MarkWaldorf]

OMFG NO
THATS TERRIBLE

[Callum]

This just gets worse and worse. Whoever did this is sick.

[Dan_]

This is just totally awful :sad:

[MrGaryy]

Police searching for Jennifer Hudson's seven-year-old nephew said they have found a boy's body. Skip related content
Related photos / videos
Hudson: Body found in nephew search
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* Boy's body found in Hudson search
* American Idol pals offer support to Hudson
* Video: Hudsons offer reward for missing boy
* Related Hot Topic: Jennifer Hudson

Have your say: Jennifer Hudson

Julian King was last seen on Friday, when the Oscar-winning actress's mother and brother were found shot dead in a "domestic related" incident in their Chicago home, police said.

Hudson offered a 100,000 dollar (£64,574) reward for the safe return of her nephew on Sunday night.

The identity of the body, found inside a white SUV vehicle, has not been confirmed. A spokesman for the Cook County Medical Examiner's office confirmed they have sent investigators to the scene.

A Chicago police spokesman refused to comment on the identity of the body.

The bodies of Julian's grandmother, 57-year-old Darnell Donerson, and his uncle Jason Hudson, 29, were found in the home they shared on the city's South Side on Friday.

US authorities issued an Amber Alert for Julian, the son of Hudson's sister Julia, and listed Julia's estranged husband William Balfour, as a suspect in a "double homicide investigation" at the weekend.

No charges have been brought and Balfour is now in state custody over an unrelated parole violation.

On Sunday night, the Dreamgirls actress's publicist Lisa Kasteler said: "Jennifer and her family appreciate the enormous amount of love, support and prayers they have received while she and her family try to cope with this tragedy and continue the search for Julian."

Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond said: "Detectives are working 24 hours on this case. There's a lot of forensic evidence. We have to work the evidence and try and solve this case. Most importantly, we want to find the child."

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20081027/ten-hudson-body-found-in-nephew-search-5f8abb3.html

[Mrluvaluva]

It doesn't sound too good. How devastating.

[melanie]

Julian King's body found, confirmed by the police

Update # 1: The FBI has now said the body discovered today in an SUV in Chicago is "believed to be" that of Julian King, Jennifer Hudson's 7-year-old nephew. Chicago cops have not yet commented. It is worth noting -- the Amber Alert for Julian has been called off.

Update # 2: The body found in the Chevy Suburban is on its way to the medical examiner's office and should be there by 12:15. Hudson family members will arrive shortly after that. A press conference is expected after the body is identified.

Update # 3: It was found by a 75-year-old who lives on the block, John Louden. He said he has lived on the block for 18 years and worried about people selling drugs in the abandoned building behind it. He saw the SUV while walking his dog. After a double-take, he realized the license plate matched the one police were looking for.

"I didn't look in there. I didn't touch it. I knew it was a strange vehicle," Louden said. He said police showed up in about five minutes after his wife called them. They discovered the child inside. The body was removed and the SUV was towed away for evidence processing. "I feel bad about that baby," Louden said

Update # 4: Press conference from the police department has been scheduled for 3pm (now 4pm), according to the Chicago CBS affiliate.

Update # 5: The Chicago Fox affiliate is going to be streaming the press conference at their website - myfoxchicago.com.

Update # 6: Law enforcement sources said that the boy was shot multiple times in the back of the vehicle. Police are testing the clothing of a man in custody for gunshot residue.

Hudson family members were expected at the medical examiner's office this afternoon to identify the body. Police Supt. Jody Weis will hold a press conference at 4 p.m. today. [Chicago time]

Update # 7: Actress-singer Jennifer Hudson and family members are expected to go to the Cook County medical examiner's office by 3 p.m., according to a spokesman for the office. Hudson's security detail informed the office that a group would be headed there from a downtown hotel.

Update # 8: A source close to the investigation of the body believed to be that of Julian King says he suffered at least one gun shot to the head...Jennifer Hudson has not yet arrived to ID the body -- but should be there shortly.

Update # 9: Sources say that police have told the Hudson family that the body found on Chicago's West Side is that of 7-year-old Julian King.

Update # 10: A press conference is being held right now, presumably to reveal the identity of the boy who was found dead in an SUV. According to reports officials will say it's Julian King, the 7-year-old nephew of Jennifer Hudson. (Click here for feed courtesy of myfoxchicago.com.)

Update # 11: Chicago police have confirmed the body they found earlier in the day was in fact Julian King, Jennifer Hudson's 7-year-old nephew. Cops they are reviewing surveillance tapes in the neighborhood where the SUV was found. Cops have not named anyone as an official suspect. They have called William Balfour "a person of interest." Our law enforcement sources, however, have said Balfour is indeed the prime suspect. Cops would not confirm the cause of death.

Update # 12: The identity of the body also was confirmed this afternoon by the Cook County medical examiner's office, where an autopsy will be done Tuesday.

Source (http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/29188534.html)

This is sickening, why would someone do that to a little boy who had nothing to do with the situation?

RIP

[Callum]

Oh my god that is horrible, poor boy, that is disgusting to think someone would do that. :bored:

[melanie]

She lost her nephew, mom and brother all in one weekend, I don't know how I would go on if I were her tbh.

[Fom]

I agree Mel... If I lost my mum, my sister and my niece in one week. I wouldnt have the strength to carry on, they are who I live for.

[Sticks]

Originally posted by Callum
Oh my god that is horrible, poor boy, that is disgusting to think someone would do that. :bored:

sometimes a bitter parent will kill their child to spie the other parent

It happened here a few weeks back :bored:

[Mrluvaluva]

That's terrible news. Poor boy. May he RIP.

[Jake!]

Condolences to the family...
She must be stuck between a hard place and the biggest rock at the moment...