Jennifer Hudson's Mother and Brother Found Dead

[Natasha]

Jennifer Hudson's Mother, Brother Murdered
Hudson's 7-year-old nephew reported missing; police have identified suspect.
By Jennifer Vineyard

Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother died of fatal gunshot wounds Friday (October 24), police have confirmed to MTV News.

A Chicago police representative said the singer's mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, and older brother, Jason, were killed. Donerson was 57 years old; Jason was 29.

Officers received a call shortly before 3 p.m. Friday, the representative said, and upon arriving at the residence, 7019 South Yale Avenue, found the two victims. The incident has been declared a double homicide; police emphasized that this may be a domestic situation.

Julian King, Hudson's young nephew, who had been living at the residence, has been reported missing. Chicago police confirmed to MTV News that the child may be in the company of identified suspect William Balfour, an African-American male in his late 20s, who is considered armed and dangerous. King may be wearing khaki pants and a tan polo shirt with the number 5 on it, according to ABC News; the Chicago Tribune reported that he is 5 feet tall, weighs 135 pounds and has brown eyes and black hair.

Balfour had been living at the residence, according to public records, and may have had a romantic relationship with Hudson's sister Julia, as vehicles are co-registered to both of them. Police said Balfour is believed to be driving either a white Chevrolet Suburban, 1994 model, with the license plate X584859, or a green Chrysler Concord, with the license plate 332K823.

Area 2 Deputy Chief Joseph Patterson told ABC News that neighbors reported hearing shots between 8 and 9 a.m. Friday. Patterson said a family member found the body of Donerson in the living room Friday afternoon and left the house to call police. When authorities arrived, they found Jason Hudson in a bedroom. Patterson said there was no sign of forced entry.

According to public records, the home is owned by Hudson's mother, but both Jennifer and Jason have been listed as residents for the second apartment.

The Tribune reported that Hudson is not injured, according to her bodyguard. ABC News reported that Hudson was traveling to Chicago from Tampa, Florida.

[This story was originally published at 6:34 pm E.T. on 10.24.08]

 

[Stella]

This is sad.

 

[Natasha]

Isn't it, though??? I was watching Nancy Grace last night and it was the first I had heard of it. My jaw literally dropped. I feel so bad for her family.

 

[Mystic]

wow isn't that horrible...what a shame.

 

[HRSA After 10]

This is really very sad. Her dad died when she was a teenager, so now she doesn't have much immediate family left. I do really feel sorry for her.

 

[Natasha]

I haven't heard any update on the child...anybody heard anything on whether the kid has been found or not???

 

[Neeners]

Have they found her nephew yet? Does anyone know? I feel so bad for her, i dont know if i could go on if someone took my mom and brother from me at the same time. I mean one is hard enough but both.

 

[Natasha]

I just checked...apparently they found the gunman and arrested him but he is refusing to cooperate w/ police or to tell them the whereabouts of Julian.

 

[Neeners]

so is he the father of Julian?

 

[Natasha]

Yes, he is. Apparently he is the boyfriend or fiance of Jennifer's sister, Julia. I haven't heard anybody mention Julia's whereabouts, but I assume they know where she is and that's she safe since it hasn't been mentioned.

 

[Neeners]

that is so crazy. i hope that little boy is safe. Hes a sick man, but hopefully he had enough heart not to hurt julian.

 

[Natasha]

I sure hope so...but when I look at people like Casey Anthony on the news every night I start to lose faith in the human race.

 

[BeautifulHeart]

omg thats really sad

 

[Natasha]

Unfortunately the FBI is now confirming that the body of 7 year old Julian was located today.

 

[bgirltuck]

such a depressing situation. man!

 

[Jersey]

They have a person of interest although they believe it is possibly...and likely that more than one person is involved. The person they are interested in is the 7 year old nephew's stepfather. His mother, Julia, was supposedly working when this all went down. Balfour missed a parole meeting and was "babysitting on the west side" which is where they found the body of little Julian. So sad...


Although Chicago police have only one known suspect in the slayings of three relatives of actress Jennifer Hudson, some evidence suggests that more than one person may have been involved, law-enforcement sources said today.

Investigators have focused on suspect William Balfour's movements on Friday, the day of the murders, as well as his conflicts with his estranged wife, Julia Hudson, and other members of the family. They are trying to determine whether another person drove Balfour to the West Side after the killings at the Hudsons' South Side home, sources said.

Witnesses said Balfour drove his teal Chrysler to the Hudsons' block Friday, arriving about 7 a.m. But later the vehicle was discovered by police parked about a mile away outside Robeson High School. Balfour's girlfriend told police that he was at her West Side home not long after the slayings of Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, and the Oscar-winning actress' brother, Jason, at their Englewood home, sources said.

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