Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother killed, nephew missing

by ojt | October 24, 2008 at 01:50 pm

11277 views | 49 Recommendations | 28 comments

Former American Idol and Oscar winner, Jennifer Hudson's home in Chicago is involved in a major homicide investigation. The dead bodies of a man and woman were found inside Hudson's home in Chicago earlier Friday afternoon.

There are reportings that the bodies are that of Miss Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson and brother Jason. The mother appears to have been killed by a shot to the head, and the brother from a shot in the chest.

There are many rumors circulating as to the cause and suspect(s) but nothing official has been released. There may have been a domestic dispute involving custody of Miss Hudsons nephew, 7-year old Julian King.

The National Center for Missing and Exploted Children says the following the "child [Julian King] was last seen wearing a chocolate brown polo shirt with stripes and tan khaki pants. He is believed to be in the company of William Balfour, driving a white 1994 Chevrolet Suburban with Illinois plate X584859."

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Albert Milliron

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 14:00 on October 24th, 2008

ojt, I like this story. It's good stuff. Thanks for posting this so quickly

master_jim2008

at 14:08 on October 24th, 2008

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The bodies of two people were found in a home Friday afternoon on the city's South Side. Property records reveal the house belongs to the mother of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson.

A family member has told Jennifer Hudson's pastor that the mother of the Oscar-winning actress is one of the victims, Darnell Hudson Donerson.

The discovery was made just before 3 p.m. Friday afternoon, according to the Chicago Fire Department.

The home where the bodies were discovered is at 7019 S. Yale in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood

Amy Judd

at 14:25 on October 24th, 2008

This is totally my fault -I posted a version of this story after you - however, I have to leave mine up for the media to be attached to it, and when it is, I will move it over here and delete mine.

I'm sorry! No one comment on mine!

ojt

at 14:51 on October 24th, 2008

no problem - i did that accidentally to someone the other day too - not an issue : )

JeffHuang

at 14:36 on October 24th, 2008

One of the victim is actually Jennifer Hudson's mother.

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.

JeffHuang

at 14:50 on October 24th, 2008

The other body might be Jennifer Hudson's brother. There were signs of domestic abuse.

One of two people found dead Friday at a home on Chicago's South Side is believed to be a relative of Oscar-winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson, and police issued an Amber Alert for a missing child.

Police spokeswoman Monique Bond said the deaths appeared to be the result of domestic abuse, but she declined to elaborate.

Gossip Web site TMZ.com is reporting that law enforcement officials confirmed that one of the victims was Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson.

Authorities were looking for a 1994 white Chevrolet Suburban missing from the area around the home with 7-year-old Julian King inside, Bond said. The child was also possibly a relative of Hudson, she said.

Albert Milliron

at 15:07 on October 24th, 2008

Report: Jennifer Hudson’s Mother, Brother Found Dead

Two people found murdered in a home owned by Jennifer Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donnerson, are believed to be the Oscar-winning actress’ mother and brother, according to WMAQ in Chicago.

Although police would not confirm the identities of the victims, police said the shooting involved one male and one female victim “believed to be related to Hudson.”
the incident “may be [a] domestic disturbance.”

WMAQ reportedly confirmed the victims’ identities through a family member.

In addition, police have also issued an Amber Alert for a sever-year-old boy, they believe is Jennifer’s nephew.

This is a very sad story. I think that this is an example of how our lives are very fragile no matter what station of life we live in. Prayers for all involved. I am sure CJaye will be issuing details of the Amber Alert soon. I am hopeful they will find the 7 y/o child soon

Babel-Fish

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 15:21 on October 24th, 2008

ojt, I like this story. This is just a guess but a logical one.

This looks like a distbute over visitation by the childs father of whom shot the two people looking after the child and then kidnapped his son. Or he rob the house and killed the adults but could not kill the child etc. The latter does not seem as good as the first logic thought.

I do hope they catch the killer and the boy is return to his mother and he gets over the trama of this sad event.

Rachel Nixon

at 15:27 on October 24th, 2008

Members can find latest reaction in the microblogosphere to this sad incident by using our Scan tool.

master_jim2008

at 15:42 on October 24th, 2008

I didn't even see yours amy, I saw two others and left the same comment on both

master_jim2008

at 15:43 on October 24th, 2008

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The mother and brother of singer and Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson were found shot to death inside a home Friday.

Police have confirmed Hudson's mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, 57, is one of the deceased. The other victim has been identified as Jennifer Hudson's brother, Jason S. Hudson, 29.

The home where the bodies were discovered aruond 3 p.m. Friday is at 7019 S. Yale in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood. Property records indicate the home belongs to Donerson.

A search is underway for a young boy who is missing from the home. A child, possibly Jennifer Hudson's 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, has been missing since Friday morning, according to Area 2 Deputy Chief Joseph Patterson.

RayBanBro66

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 15:43 on October 24th, 2008

ojt, I like this story. It's good stuff. This is tragic.... God job at breaking the story on NP .

Jarrett Martineau

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 15:43 on October 24th, 2008

ojt, thanks for posting this. Shocking.

master_jim2008

at 15:46 on October 24th, 2008

my bad, I did see yours amy, and tried to update it again but the node was closed

Amy Judd

at 15:50 on October 24th, 2008

No worries - I wanted to direct people here.

Jarrett Martineau

at 15:57 on October 24th, 2008

Photo of Jennifer Hudson with her missing nephew Julian [via MySpace]

my babies n i .my nephew julian and my new baby mr.payton

Amy Judd

at 15:58 on October 24th, 2008

According to Perez Hilton, Hudson is currently flying to Chicago from Tampa.

Rhonda J Mangus

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 15:58 on October 24th, 2008

ojt, I like this story. It's good stuff.

ojt

at 15:59 on October 24th, 2008

i know everyone is saying that there is an amber alert for the nephew but I checked the official amber alert page and this is nothing listed there

reno_fog

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 16:00 on October 24th, 2008

ojt, I like this story. It's good stuff. Quick work... well done

Mary Richard

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 17:40 on October 24th, 2008

ojt, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Heartbreaking! Hope they find the child soon.

Jarrett Martineau

at 18:28 on October 24th, 2008

UPDATE: Jennifer Hudson has cancelled a music video shoot scheduled for next week, after learning of today's tragic events.

In the aftermath of her mother and brother's deaths on Friday, Jennifer Hudson has canceled her plans to film a new music video in L.A. next week.

Vinny

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 18:38 on October 24th, 2008

duo

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 19:00 on October 24th, 2008

ojt, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Terrible news. Family abuse is a horrible thing, and it increases substantially during economic downturns like we are currently experiencing. See this, and pray for the family, especially this lovely little boy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xirR5fj4BjM

Mary

Barry ORegan

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 20:06 on October 24th, 2008

ojt, I like this story. It's good stuff. Just friggin Tragic, that is all I can say.

kaywood

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 21:30 on October 24th, 2008

ojt, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Ann Smarty

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 06:45 on October 25th, 2008

Poor Jennifer...

IndyFran (not verified)

at 08:01 on October 27th, 2008

They just found a little boy dead in the white SUV that they were looking for. As yet the police say the child is unidentified. But we all know. So sad.