Mother/Brother of Fmr American Idol Jennifer Hudson-Murdered [Archive]

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One2Snoop

10-26-2008, 08:50 PM

Police Probe Deaths Of Hudson's Mom, Brother
Amber Alert Issued For Nephew

POSTED: 5:51 pm EDT October 24, 2008
UPDATED: 10:38 pm EDT October 24, 2008

CHICAGO -- The personal publicist of Jennifer Hudson said Chicago police are investigating the deaths of the Oscar-winning actress' mother and brother, who were found shot dead at their South Side home.

Lisa Kasteler said Friday that no further comment will be made about the deaths of Darnell Donerson and Jason Hudson.

Police spokeswoman Monique Bond said the deaths appear to be the result of domestic abuse.

Police are searching for 7-year-old Julian King, Hudson's nephew. He may have been abducted and could be accompanied by the suspect, a man named William Balfour.

Balfour has not been charged with a crime. He is on parole and spent nearly seven years in prison for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possessing a stolen vehicle.

They've issued an Amber Alert for a white Chevrolet Suburban or a teal or green Chrysler Concord.

http://www.wftv.com/entertainment/17797973/detail.html

One2Snoop

10-26-2008, 08:53 PM

Jennifer Hudson's Sister Pleads For Son's Return
Search Continues For Hudson's Nephew

POSTED: 7:52 am EDT October 25, 2008
UPDATED: 8:03 pm EDT October 25, 2008

CHICAGO -- The older sister of Jennifer Hudson made a plea Saturday at a Chicago church for the return of her missing 7-year-old son.

Julia Hudson said her sister is home now as the family searches for Julian King. He was reported missing Friday from the family's home. The mother and brother of the sisters were found shot to death the same day in the home.

It wasn't clear whether the Oscar-winning actress and singer was at the church when her sister made the plea.

Julia Hudson spoke from the podium at Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church alongside the boy's father, Greg King. She said her son "doesn't deserve this."

An Amber Alert has been issued. A Hudson family friend said, "We need to find that kid by sundown."

Authorities reportedly have a suspect, William Balfour in custody. Balfour is on parole and spent nearly seven years in prison for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possessing a stolen vehicle. Balfour is the estranged husband of the boy's mother -- Hudson's sister.

No one has been charged.

Officials said at least one of the victims suffered defensive wounds, and authorities are describing the shootings as domestic.

Family and friends have been gathering in the Chicago neighborhood where Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother were slain.

The tragedy comes as Hudson, who grew up in Chicago, continues to reach new heights in her career. The recently engaged Hudson won an Academy Award for best supporting actress in 2007 for her role in "Dreamgirls."

She was also featured in the "Sex and the City" movie and stars in the current film "The Secret Life of Bees," also featuring Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys and Dakota Fanning.

Her recently released, self-tiled debut album has also been a top seller.

http://www.wftv.com/entertainment/17801101/detail.html

One2Snoop

10-26-2008, 08:54 PM

Hudson Offers $100K For Return Of Nephew
Amber Alert Still In Effect

POSTED: 9:53 am EDT October 26, 2008

CHICAGO -- Jennifer Hudson and her family are offering a $100,000 reward for the safe return of her missing 7-year-old nephew.

Julian King has been missing since the Friday shooting deaths of Hudson's mother and brother at the family home on Chicago's South Side. On the same day, the bodies of 57-year-old Darnell Donerson and 29-year-old Jason Hudson were found in their home. Their deaths have been ruled homicides.

Hudson publicist Lisa Kasteler issued a statement Sunday saying the Oscar-winning entertainer and her family would offer the reward. The family asks that any information be given to Chicago police.

The reward comes as police ramp up search efforts and have transferred custody of a "person of interest" in the killings to state authorities.

Chicago police spokesman Dan O'Brien said the amber Alert search for King is citywide. But on Sunday residents and officers will focus their search efforts "in the immediate vicinity" of the Hudson's Englewood home where King lived.

Searchers planned to comb streets on foot and hand out fliers.

http://www.wftv.com/entertainment/17805116/detail.html

SaraSidle

10-26-2008, 09:58 PM

10-27-2008, 09:48 AM

It's being reported that a child's body has been found in a vehicle missing from the Hudson family. This is so sad. :(

LetsBeConcerned

10-27-2008, 10:12 AM

It's being reported that a child's body has been found in a vehicle missing from the Hudson family. This is so sad. :(

I just heard that too~! This is so very tragic~!!:(

My condolences to the family.

:rose: :rose: :rose:

texaschickeee

10-27-2008, 02:19 PM

The Former boyfriend is being held on violations of his parole....attempte murder, along with some other crimes.

Being in the SUV that they are looking for, being a young black male body my money is that its the nephew.

Its either domstic violence which she told him to take a hike or drug related.
---------

CHICAGO - Police searching for Jennifer Hudson's missing 7-year-old nephew found the body of a young boy Monday in the same sport utility vehicle sought in the manhunt for the boy.

Authorities didn't identify the body, that of a young black boy, found in the rear seat of the SUV and an autopsy was planned for Tuesday.

Illinois State Police said an alert for the missing boy, Julian King, was canceled Monday because the vehicle had been located. And police Cmdr. Wayne Gulliford said the license plate listed in the alert matched the plate on the vehicle found Monday.

The alert was issued Friday after the mother and brother of the Oscar-winning actress and singer were found shot to death at home Friday. Julian, who lives in the home, hadn't been seen since.

In Washington, FBI Deputy Director John S. Pistole said at a news conference that authorities found a body "who we believe to be the missing victim in Chicago, the nephew of Jennifer Hudson. We are working with Chicago police to get a positive identification of the victim."

Hudson, 27, offered $100,000 Sunday for information leading to his safe return. Julian is the son of Jennifer Hudson's sister, Julia Hudson.

Telephone and e-mail messages left Monday for Hudson's publicist were not returned.

The alert listed William Balfour, the estranged husband of Julia Hudson, as a suspect in a "double homicide investigation." He is not the boy's father and has not been charged in the slayings.

Police said they did not have a motive for the killings but called the case "domestic related.

Balfour, 27, was taken into custody Friday by Chicago police for questioning in the killings. On Sunday, he was transferred to the Illinois Department of Corrections "based on his active parole violation unrelated to this investigation."

Records from the Corrections Department show Balfour 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 probably remain in state custody until the Illinois Prisoner Review Board looked at his case. She would not say 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.

Hudson, who won an Academy Award in 2007 for her role in "Dreamgirls," was in Chicago during the weekend. The medical examiner's office confirmed Hudson, 27, identified the bodies of her mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and 29-year-old brother, Jason Hudson. The deaths were ruled homicides.

Hudson appealed to the public for help, offering the reward and asking 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," said a statement from her publicist.

:no::flamemad:

texaschickeee

10-27-2008, 02:20 PM

opps.

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

One2Snoop

10-27-2008, 06:00 PM

FBI says body found is that of Hudson's nephew, 7By Associated Press
2 hours, 32 minutes ago

CHICAGO - A top FBI official said Monday that a body found in an SUV is believed to be that of Jennifer Hudson's missing 7-year-old nephew, the focus of a desperate search since the Oscar winner's mother and brother were found shot to death in their home three days earlier.

While the body has not been positively identified, FBI Deputy Director John S. Pistole said authorities believe it to be that of Julian King, who also lived in the home.

Chicago police said the body of a black male child was found shortly after 7 a.m. in the rear seat of an SUV. An autopsy was planned for Tuesday.

The SUV was found parked on the street in a neighborhood of brownstone homes and apartment buildings, and matched the one sought in an Amber Alert issued after Hudson's mother and brother were found slain Friday, police Cmdr. Wayne Gulliford said.

In Washington, Pistole said at a news conference on child exploitation that authorities found a body "who we believe to be the missing victim in Chicago, the nephew of Jennifer Hudson. We are working with Chicago police to get a positive identification of the victim."

Hudson had offered $100,000 Sunday for information leading to Julian's safe return. He is the son of Jennifer Hudson's sister, Julia Hudson. Telephone and e-mail messages left Monday for Hudson's publicist, who had been releasing statements on behalf of the family, were not answered.

Chicago police have characterized the killings as "domestic related" and have been questioning William Balfour, who is the estranged husband of Julia Hudson and is being held in state custody on a parole violation. Balfour is not the boy's father and has not been charged in the slayings.

Balfour, 27, was taken into custody Friday by Chicago police for questioning in the killings. On Sunday, he was transferred to the Illinois Department of Corrections "based on his active parole violation unrelated to this investigation."

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

Balfour's mother, Michele Balfour, has said Hudson's mother kicked Balfour out of the family home last winter. She denied her son had anything to do with the killings.

Corrections spokeswoman Januari Smith said Balfour would probably remain in state custody until the Illinois Prisoner Review Board looked at his case. She would not say where Balfour was being held, and it was unclear whether Balfour had an attorney.

Hudson, who won an Academy Award in 2007 for her role in "Dreamgirls," was in Chicago during the weekend. The medical examiner's office confirmed Hudson, 27, identified the bodies of her mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and 29-year-old brother, Jason Hudson. The deaths were ruled homicides.

Neighbors and well-wishers brought stuffed animals and other items to a makeshift memorial outside Donerson's two-story white clapboard home as news of Monday's discovery spread.

"Everybody knows Jennifer Hudson, but I would be here even if it was little Suzy on the corner," said Tacara Juarez, 26, who doesn't know the family but lives in the neighborhood.

On Sunday, Hudson appealed to the public for help, offering the reward and asking 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," said a statement from her publicist.

http://omg.yahoo.com/news/fbi-says-body-found-is-that-of-hudsons-nephew-7/14640

wind149

10-27-2008, 06:14 PM

It appears the body they found in the SUV is Julian, pending an autopsy, he was found in the same vehicle and tag # matches ,so it seems that whoever did this, murdered a child as well. Domestic violence kills so many people, no matter how many restraining orders are issued, some of these dirtbags walk right through them, my stalker, I have a 99 year order on, but I had to fight to get it, NH still operates under the "good old boy network" and he was a cop to boot, he violated the order twice in one week so I started packing heat and a video camera and was able to catch him making stabbing motions at me through the truck window and that also was the end of his career in LE, THANK GOD! He had 7 other orders issued on him before me and all of his other victims also had to fight to get the orders, ya know, male cop giving another male cop a restraining order, something they did not want to do, but had no choice. This POS actually called the court, the first day he threatened me by pointing his weapon at me, to find out if I had gone in there to get an order, and of course the dipstick at the court, seeing as he was a cop, blabbed that I had and he went in the wind for a few days, probably hoping because he was not found right off, he had called in sick to the Dept, that his dept would just forget about it and while his loser Chief wanted to, he could not, a direct order from the court and I bet you will find the loser they have in custody now is the killer, seeing as domestic violence had occurred, and he even looks like a loser. I feel so bad for the family, the mother of that little boy has got to be screaming right about now and it breaks my heart because I know what she is has probably gone through with him and I hope IL has the DP!

rasmur

10-28-2008, 12:15 PM

My condolences to Jennifer Hudson and her family in their time of trouble, and I hope the murderer is brought to justice.

SaraSidle

10-28-2008, 04:21 PM

My condolences to Jennifer Hudson and her family in their time of trouble, and I hope the murderer is brought to justice.

Someone please do not tell me that Balfour was the boy's father?

Justice Denied?

10-30-2008, 07:45 PM

Balfour is the boy's stepfather.

SaraSidle

10-30-2008, 08:03 PM

Balfour is the boy's stepfather.

I finally saw that. and he is refusing a LDT. How can a stepfather no matter how angry he is kill Grandma uncle and stepchild???? I wonder if he did it. IMO sara

~Bulldog~

10-31-2008, 06:36 AM

I hope that if the gun they found is the murder weapon, it has some prints on it.. this is just awful....

SaraSidle

10-31-2008, 02:38 PM

I hope that if the gun they found is the murder weapon, it has some prints on it.. this is just awful....

well if he is the perp at least he is in custody..........IMO sara

One2Snoop

11-03-2008, 08:30 PM

Hudson family mourns at private funeral service

CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) -- Hundreds of mourners streamed into a private funeral service for Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson's slain mother, brother and nephew Monday at a South Side church.

A casket is taken from a hearse at a private funeral for the slain relatives of Jennifer Hudson on Monday.

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and the Rev. Jesse Jackson were among those who spoke at the three-hour service

Small blue tickets that read "Hudson Family Funeral" were needed to enter the massive Apostolic Church of God, but that didn't deter crowds of onlookers who gathered outside.

During the service, "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino sang the gospel song "Your Grace and Mercy," and at one point left the stage to take Jennifer Hudson's hand and sing directly to her, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Police directed traffic around the building, keeping passers-by across the street from its large front parking lot and away from those attending the services for Darnell Hudson Donerson, 57, Jason Hudson, 29, and Julian King, 7.

The three were found shot to death late last month, the adults in Donerson's home and Julian in a vehicle found several miles away. Julian is the son of Jennifer Hudson's older sister, Julia Hudson.

No one has been charged in the shootings, although authorities have called Julia Hudson's estranged husband, 27-year-old William Balfour, a "person of interest." He remains in custody on a parole violation.

Shenika Bowers, 35, of Chicago was one of several dozen people who stood outside the church in hopes of sharing sympathies with the singer-actress, who she did not see entering the church Monday.

"She needs us right now," Bowers said of Hudson. "She needs support from everyone who she can get it from. I cannot imagine how she feels but I do feel for her."

Latosha Funches, 33, of Chicago, said she's been a Hudson fan since the singer was on "American Idol" and wanted to pass along her condolences.

"I have kids of my own too," said Funches, who pushed her 11-month-old son in a stroller. "I know how she feels. I just hope she can get through it. She looks like she's very strong."

Monday's services followed a public memorial held Sunday at Pleasant Gift Memorial Baptist Church, Hudson's childhood church.

The bodies of Donerson and Jason Hudson were discovered October 24 at the family's home. Julian's body was found three days later in a sport utility vehicle on the city's West Side.

Police arrested Balfour the same day the bodies of Donerson and Hudson were discovered. After 48 hours -- the longest Chicago police can hold a person without charges -- Balfour was taken by the Illinois Department of Corrections on a parole violation.

Balfour had served seven years for a 1999 attempted murder and vehicular hijacking conviction.

His mother, Michelle Balfour, of Chicago, has denied that her son had anything to do with the deaths.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/11/03/hudson.mourners.ap/index.html

One2Snoop

11-04-2008, 12:09 PM

NANCY GRACE

Victim`s Own Gun Reportedly Used in Hudson Murders
Aired November 3, 2008 - 20:00:00 ET

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0811/03/ng.01.html

One2Snoop

11-05-2008, 01:38 AM

NANCY GRACE

Possible Second Gunman in Hudson Murders
Aired November 4, 2008 - 20:00:00 ET

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0811/04/ng.01.html

One2Snoop

11-11-2008, 09:01 PM

Jennifer Hudson tragedy: Girlfriend saw suspect with murder weapon, police say

By David Heinzmann | Tribune staff reporter
9:05 AM EST, November 11, 2008

William Balfour is likely to remain behind bars at least three more weeks while police continue to investigate the triple homicide of actress Jennifer Hudson's family.

Illinois prison officials Monday ordered that Balfour, the lone known suspect in the case, continue to be held on a parole violation at least until a Dec. 3 hearing. At a closed hearing in Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, investigators presented evidence that Balfour had a gun matching the weapon used in the Oct. 24 slayings of Hudson's brother, mother and young nephew, Jorge Montes, chairman of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, said later.

Prosecutors have not charged Balfour, 27, a former convict, with any crime related to the murders.

The Prisoner Review Board's chief reason for holding Balfour was a report from Cook County prosecutors that his girlfriend, identified as Shonta Cathey, said she saw him holding a gun that matched the color of the murder weapon, Montes said.

"It's a very serious allegation," Montes said at a news conference outside the prison near Joliet.

In addition, the board said he had violated parole by being in locations where drugs were sold. That allegation stemmed from a June 19 drug arrest, but Balfour's parole was not revoked at that time, and the charge was later dropped.

During the hearing, Balfour protested the evidence that authorities used to hold him, Montes said.

Balfour, who has been estranged from his wife, Julia Hudson, sister of the Oscar-winning actress, has been on parole since his release from prison for a 1999 attempted murder conviction.

If the board continues to revoke his parole, Balfour could be held to the end of his sentence in May 2009.

After Balfour was questioned by Chicago detectives for 48 hours, his parole was revoked following the murders. He has been held in Stateville since Oct. 26.

Balfour acknowledged being at the Hudson's Englewood home on the morning that the actress' mother and brother were gunned down inside the house, law enforcement sources said. Julia Hudson's son, Julian, 7, was abducted and three days later his body was found.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/chi-jennifer-hudson-update-1111,0,4240316.story

wind149

12-01-2008, 06:20 PM

Gee, like there was somebody else! I don't know what took them so long, this guy is a complete loser who was also out on parole at the time of the murders and to think that he shot a child in the head, he should go right from guilty to dead in about 30 days, but of course it will be years before this scumbag gets his. He even looks like a total lump of waste! I am glad now Jennifer and her family members in the sense that they now know for sure he is the murderer and won't have to wait years to find out. He will not have a fun time, child killers are scum even to the inmate pop and I hope he has a miserable time for the rest of his life, what a piece of sh*t!!!!:mad:

One2Snoop

12-01-2008, 08:15 PM

updated 1 hour, 21 minutes ago

Man arrested in connection with Hudson slayings

(CNN) -- Chicago, Illinois, police arrested a man Monday in connection with the killing of three relatives of singer-actress Jennifer Hudson, a police spokesman said.

William Balfour, 27, was first detained for questioning on October 24, the day Hudson's mother and brother were found shot to death. Authorities said at the time that they were holding Balfour for an unspecified parole violation.

Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, and brother, Jason Hudson, were found shot to death in their South Side Chicago home. The body of her nephew, 7-year-old Julian King, was found three days later in an abandoned SUV on Chicago's West Side.

Police later found a handgun near the vehicle.

Detectives served arrest warrants on Balfour on Monday afternoon, said Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond.

Balfour was transferred from the Statesville Correctional Center to the custody of detectives in the case, she said, and he is awaiting formal charges on three counts of murder.

Balfour is the estranged husband of the singer's sister, Julia Hudson, and the stepfather of Julian King.

According to the Illinois Department of Corrections, Balfour spent nearly seven years in prison for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possessing a stolen vehicle. He was free on parole at the time of the shootings.

Hudson won a best supporting actress Oscar for her portrayal of Effie in the film version of the Broadway musical "Dreamgirls." She competed on the third season of the singing competition "American Idol" in 2004, becoming one of the top seven contestants before being eliminated from the contest.

Michele Davis-Balfour, Balfour's mother, had defended her son publicly before the arrest, saying her son had nothing to do with the slayings.

"If William did do this, right, in no means am I going to sugarcoat him and say my son didn't do it," she said. "I know my son didn't do this."

Pressed about her son's whereabouts around the time of the slayings, Davis-Balfour said, "My son's alibi was one of his girlfriends, one of the girls he is dating."

She said that after her son got out of prison, he was trying to improve his life by working at a sandwich shop. She also said he obtained his GED in prison by studying horticulture.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/12/01/hudson.arrest/index.html