Actress Jennifer Hudson's Mother & Brother Found Dead

**Unamused Cat** · October 24th, 2008, 06:51 PM

Chicago police confirmed to MTV News that investigators are at the scene at a residence on the South side of Chicago, where two people, a male and a female, suffered fatal gunshot wounds; the representative said police believe both victims to be related to Hudson. Officers received a call shortly before 3 p.m. Friday, and upon arriving found the two victims. The incident has been declared a double homicide.

The Chicago Tribune reported that according to public records, the home is owned by Darnell Donerson, Jennifer Hudson's mother. The paper also reported that Hudson is not injured, according to her bodyguard.

One of the victims was a woman in her 50s who was shot in the head and the other was a 29-year-old man who was shot in the chest, a spokesman for the Cook County medical examiner's office told the Tribune. Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond told the paper that at least one victim is "believed to be" a relative of Jennifer Hudson. The shooting was believed to be related to a domestic disturbance, Bond said, emphasizing that the information was preliminary.

TMZ reported that the female victim is Hudson's mother, and the male victim is Hudson's older brother Jason, a mechanic.

A representative for the city's medical examiner's office told MTV News that they have an investigator on the scene but have no identification or preliminary information.

The police source told the Tribune that the bodies of a man and woman were discovered by a family member about 3 p.m. in the home in the 7000 block of South Yale Avenue.

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/159...jennifer.jhtml

**brokenandtwisted** · October 24th, 2008, 06:55 PM

Awww. :(

Her Academy Award win was surprising, I found.

Oh yes, dead relatives...RIP.

**Pixie** · October 24th, 2008, 07:03 PM

WOW - that's horrible. I can't imagine losing two close family members all at once.

B&T - really?? Do you watch the AA?? Rarely do they go where truly deserved.

**Unamused Cat** · October 24th, 2008, 07:53 PM

Update: Suspect, William Balfour, has taken off with a child. Armed and dangerous.

MySpace: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...ndid=174838208

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.

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/159...jennifer.jhtml

**brokenandtwisted** · October 24th, 2008, 08:11 PM

Wow, douchebag. Where is the sister in this?

Pixie you're right...I should not be surprised...but I still think Cate Blanchett should have won.

**moonlilly1981** · October 24th, 2008, 08:30 PM

So sad. I have no other words right now. Just reminds us how fragile life is. Even for the famous.

**Peeperann** · October 24th, 2008, 08:31 PM

The POS shooter took off with a 7 year old? Holy hell, not good......

**Morbid** · October 24th, 2008, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by brokenandtwisted

Pixie you're right...I should not be surprised...but I still think Cate Blanchett should have won.

Agreed.

Oh, and RIP.

**Unamused Cat** · October 24th, 2008, 10:25 PM

Julian King, 7-years-old

An Amber Alert has been issued for Julian King. Suspect Balfour is out on parole after serving seven years in prison.

http://www.wthitv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9236930

**brokenandtwisted** · October 24th, 2008, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by Morbid

Agreed.

Yeah, Notes on a Scandal was such an excellent film...great adaptation and awesome acting.

Originally Posted by Unamused Cat

Suspect Balfour is out on parole after serving seven years in prison.

Note to women: Don't date convicts/felons.

**Ruby** · October 24th, 2008, 10:43 PM

Wait, Broken, do you have some reason to believe someone here was dating this punk? The dead are Hudson's mother -- in her 50's -- and Hudson's brother. There has been no mention that I've seen of anyone else yet. Who is this Balfour and how is he connected to the fam? Have any reports given this info??

**Ruby** · October 24th, 2008, 10:49 PM

chicagotribune.com home page reporting the suspect is in custody, but the boy has not yet been found.... that's the latest. Could he be hiding someplace because he saw the murders? Shit, I know I'd be hiding!

**brokenandtwisted** · October 24th, 2008, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by Ruby

Wait, Broken, do you have some reason to believe someone here was dating this punk? The dead are Hudson's mother -- in her 50's -- and Hudson's brother. There has been no mention that I've seen of anyone else yet. Who is this Balfour and how is he connected to the fam? Have any reports given this info??

His MySpace says he's the husband of Jennifer Hudson's sister, thereby making him her brother-in-law. He's the father of the kid.

At least that is what he appears to be.

**Unamused Cat** · October 24th, 2008, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by Ruby

Wait, Broken, do you have some reason to believe someone here was dating this punk? The dead are Hudson's mother -- in her 50's -- and Hudson's brother. There has been no mention that I've seen of anyone else yet. Who is this Balfour and how is he connected to the fam? Have any reports given this info??

From Balfour's MySpace: "I AM A 26 YEAR OLD, I RESIDE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO, I HAVE A WIFE HER NAME IS JULIA, AND I ALSO HAVE A 6 YR OLD STEPSON, I DON'T TOLERATE BULLSHIT, SO DON'T COME TO ME WITH IT, I LIKE TO LIVE LIFE AND EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING THATS WHY I'M HERE SEEING WHAT IT'S ABOUT, I MIGHT AS WELL LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT JENNIFER HUDSON IS MY WIFE'S SISTER."

**Ruby** · October 24th, 2008, 10:58 PM

Thx for the info Broken and UC. I hadn't seen it in the articles.

**Unamused Cat** · October 24th, 2008, 11:00 PM

They think Julian may still be in the vehicle, wherever that is. I just hope the little guy is okay.

**Sister Iroz** · October 25th, 2008, 01:52 PM

CHICAGO – Authorities investigating the shooting deaths of Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother were searching for the missing 7-year-old nephew of the Oscar-winning actress.

A suspect in the deaths was in custody Friday night, but young Julian King had not been seen since the bodies of Darnell Donerson, 57, and Jason Hudson, 29, were found Friday afternoon.

A family member entering Donerson's South Side home Friday afternoon found the woman shot on the living room floor. Officers later found Hudson shot in the bedroom, police said.

At least one of the victims suffered defensive wounds, said authorities who described the shooting as domestic violence.

William Balfour, a man suspected in the deaths, was arrested Friday but had not been charged, law enforcement sources told the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times.

Police spokeswoman Monique Bond said investigators were talking to "a number of people in custody" but she declined to elaborate. An Amber Alert issued Friday said Balfour was a suspect in the double homicide.

Balfour was married to Hudson's sister, Julia, for several years but they were separated, said his mother, Michele Balfour. She said Donerson had ordered him to move out of the family's home last winter.

Authorities would not confirm the identity of Julian King's parents, but family friends said he is Julia Hudson's son. There was no immediate word on the identity of the missing boy's father.

Jennifer Hudson's personal publicist, Lisa Kasteler, said the family wanted privacy.

Records from the Illinois Department of Corrections show Balfour, 27, is on parole and spent nearly seven years in prison for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possessing a stolen vehicle. Public records show one of Balfour's addresses as the home where Donerson and Jason Hudson were shot.

The Cook County medical examiner's office said autopsies were being conducted Saturday morning, but results would not be available until later in the day.

http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss..._bodies_hudson

This is such a tragedy and my prayers are with the family. I do hope they find that little boy soon and pray he is unharmed.

**Unamused Cat** · October 25th, 2008, 02:01 PM

Still no sign of Julian King.

**Lizard** · October 25th, 2008, 02:07 PM

Is it too optimistic to think maybe he saw some of the altercation that led to the deaths and ran away to hide?

**justrandom** · October 25th, 2008, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by Lizard

Is it too optimistic to think maybe he saw some of the altercation that led to the deaths and ran away to hide?

I thought this too.. but now I think it's been too long :(

**sweet_misery** · October 27th, 2008, 09:36 AM

Just saw a 'Breaking News' report on MSNBC that police have found the white SUV they've been looking for since the shootings. It's also being said that the body of a child has been found inside.

I've been looking for a link to this report, but nothing yet.

**crickett** · October 27th, 2008, 09:53 AM

OMG....may they all RIP
How horrible....I repeat...do NOT get involved with anyone in prison.
May this worthless prick ROT in HELL!!!

**Jaded** · October 27th, 2008, 09:55 AM

WMAQ in Chicago reported Monday that police have found the white SUV that belonged to Hudson's sister, Julia, the mother of 7-year-old Julian King. The license plate for the SUV had been given out in the Amber Alert that was sent out on Friday in connection with the missing boy. The Associated Press reports that the body of a male child was found in the SUV.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27366072/

**Silvahalo** · October 27th, 2008, 10:08 AM

Lord, this so sad. Doesn't matter where death happens, famous or not it's still terrible.

Just saw a 'Breaking News' report on MSNBC that police have found the white SUV they've been looking for since the shootings. It's also being said that the body of a child has been found inside

...Sweet_Misery, I hope your wrong about this.

Rest in peace Darnell and Jason.

**brokenandtwisted** · October 27th, 2008, 11:38 AM

Jennifer Hudson offers $100,000 reward for safe return of missing nephew

Sun Oct 26, 8:11 PM

By Rupa Shenoy, The Associated Press

CHICAGO - Jennifer Hudson and her family offered a $100,000 reward Sunday for the safe return of her missing nephew, as investigators looked for forensic evidence near the home where her mother and brother were found shot to death.

Mourners dressed in their Sunday best milled outside the childhood home of the singer and Oscar-winning actress, along with investigators seeking clues to the whereabouts of seven-year-old Julian King, the son of Jennifer Hudson's sister, Julia.

In a statement Sunday evening from publicist Lisa Kasteler, Jennifer Hudson appealed to the public for its help, offering the reward and asking that any information be given to Chicago police.

"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," the statement said.

Chicago police ramped up search efforts for Julian around the Englewood neighbourhood where Hudson grew up, and transferred custody of a "person of interest" in the killings to state authorities.

"Detectives are working 24 hours on this case," said Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond. "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."

An Amber Alert remained in effect Sunday for Julian, who disappeared on Friday, the day the bodies of his grandmother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and 29-year-old uncle Jason Hudson were found in the home they all shared on the city's South Side.

The deaths were ruled homicides.

Jennifer Hudson, who won an Academy Award for best supporting actress in 2007 for her role in "Dreamgirls," was in Chicago with her family during the weekend, her sister said.

Her publicist did not disclose her whereabouts, but the Cook County medical examiner's office confirmed she had identified the bodies of her mother and brother.

Bond said Balfour, who had been in police custody since Friday, was transferred Sunday to the Illinois Department of Corrections "based on his active parole violation unrelated to this investigation."

Records from the corrections department show Balfour, 27, is on parole and spent nearly seven years in prison for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possessing a stolen vehicle.

Corrections spokeswoman Januari Smith said Balfour would likely remain in state custody until the Illinois Prisoner Review Board looked at his case. She would not say exactly where Balfour was being held.

It was unclear whether Balfour had an attorney Sunday, but his mother, Michele Balfour, has denied he was involved the killings or in Julian's disappearance.

Link

So, the douche pictured above was caught...but denies killing them.

**Pixie** · October 27th, 2008, 11:43 AM

Body Found -- Matches Missing Boy

Posted Oct 27th 2008 9:38AM by TMZ Staff

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.

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.

The SUV has been towed with the body still inside the vehicle. The SUV is now at a police garage in Chicago.

http://www.tmz.com/2008/10/27/body-found/

**crickett** · October 27th, 2008, 11:44 AM

He did it....she didn't want him and he was going to "get even".....
He'll now get to go back where he always belonged...prison...
THIS is why one should NOT get involved with ex-cons

**Unamused Cat** · October 27th, 2008, 12:23 PM

He deserves the death penalty.

**RaVen Blackehart** · October 27th, 2008, 03:17 PM

http://truecrimereport.com/

"**UPDATE**

Shortly after this post was first published, MSNBC reported that the white Chevy Suburban wanted in connection with this case had been found on the West Side of Chicago. The Medical Examiner was en route to the scene, and the body of a male, African-American child was inside the vehicle. Authorities do believe it is the body of Julian King.

According to CNN Headline News, the SUV was found 5 to 6 miles from the residence where Darnell Donerson and Jason Hudson were murdered on Friday.

Jennifer Hudson's brother-in-law, William Balfour (Balfour's MySpace info was first published here at the True Crime Report), has been in police custody since last Friday, and he is considered a person-of-interest in this case. His own mother reportedly said she didn't raise a killer or kidnapper, but police may not agree with her. Balfour has given police very little cooperation in the search for his stepson.

***UPDATE***

CNN has reported on-air that the FBI believes the deceased little boy found in the Chevy Suburban is indeed Julian King."

**saltwatergirl** · October 27th, 2008, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by Peeperann

The POS shooter took off with a 7 year old? Holy hell, not good......

I heard on CNN that they think they have found the child's body?

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