Oct 27 2008
Jennifer Hudson’s Tragic News - Nephew Found Dead.
The tragic shooting of Jennifer Hudson’s mother and brother had left her reeling and she has been appealing for the last two days for the public’s help in finding her nephew, Julian. Ms Hudson’s family has been offering a $100,000 reward for information given to the Chicago police resulting in the boy’s location.
“In her efforts to help find her nephew, Hudson appealed for help via a MySpace blog entry where ‘The Secret Life of Bees’ star posted a picture of her sister’s son. “Thank you all for your prayers and your calls. Please keep praying for our family and that we get Julian King back home safely,” the blog entry read. “If anyone has any information about his whereabouts please contact the authorities immediately.”
Sadly, the body of Jennifer Hudson’s seven year old nephew was found today in an abandoned SUV. This comes three days after the stars brother and mother were found dead in their home on Friday. The Chicago police confirmed the news of the boy’s death earlier today at the police conference. The child, Julian King was found in the boot of a white Chevrolet Suburban. The body was covered in plastic sheeting in the car which had been missing since Friday.
The 1994 white Chevrolet Suburban which belonged to Ms Hudson’s brother had been taken from his home and the F.B.I and local police have been looking for it since the discovery of the bodies.The Chicago police were alerted to the SUV by neighbours who reported a suspicious vehicle. ‘Commander Wayne Gulliford of the Chicago police told reporters at a news conference Monday morning that the SUV matched the one they sought in an Amber Alert issued after the slayings’.
Young Julian lived in the same house in Chicago as Ms Hudson’s mother Darnell Donerson, 57, and her brother, Jason Hudson, 29, who were both found dead by multiple gunshot wounds on Friday. ‘Prayers have been held outside the house today for her departed family members who were shot to death last week outside of the family’s home in Chicago’.
William Balfour, 27, former husband of Jennifer’s sister, Julia Hudson, is being held by the Illinois Department of Corrections for a parole violation and is in the process of being questioned by the police department about the slayings. Mr. Balfour already has on record, convictions for attempted murder, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and vehicular hijacking. He has spent six years in detention and was released from prison in May 2006 and has remained on probation since then.
Jennifer Hudson had been on a promotional tour of Florida to promote her latest movie, “The Secret Lives of Bees,” at the time of the murders. She had to return home on receiving the dreadful news of the killings to identify the bodies of her mother and brother. Jennifer Hudson was awarded an Oscar for best supporting actress for her performance in “Dreamgirls”; Looks like it’s going to be a very tough time for her right now. -
Christianna Garrett-Martin
This new is too tragic for words. I’m deeply saddened, angry and disgusted. I can only offer prayers and comfort for the family.
This is terrible. I can’t even begin to imagine what all the family must be going through right now. It’s a horrible subject, but you’ve really covered it well here. It’s so sickening what some people do in this world.