Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother killed, nephew missing

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

10251 views | 49 Recommendations | 35 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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politisite

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

Tina Kells

at 14:15 on October 24th, 2008

AP is reporting that the bodies were found in the home of somebody with the same name as Jennifer Hudson's mother, but there is no official confirmation that it is actually her mother's home. However, it is a logical assumption given the rest of the details presented in the AP article below.

Authorities in Chicago are investigating the deaths of two people whose bodies were found at a home that's listed under the same name as the mother of Jennifer Hudson.

The Cook County medical examiner's office says officials were dispatched Friday afternoon to a South Side home where the bodies of a man and a woman were found.

Police say they're at the home and two people were found unresponsive, but they have no other details.

Police tape blocks access to the large, white house, where a crowd has gathered outside.

Public listings show a Jennifer Hudson and Darnell Donerson at the address. Hudson, the Oscar-winning actress and singer, grew up in Chicago and her mother's name is Darnell Donerson.

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.

Tina Kells

at 15:02 on October 24th, 2008

ojt, thanks for getting this story out so quickly. It will now show up on the home page for four hours. If new developments justify it, I'll renew this flag for another cycle.

Reports are now suggesting this could be some sort of domestic dispute, complete with a description of a vehicle seen fleeing the scene, including a license plate number:

Hudson’s nephew reported missing

CHICAGO (WLS) — The mother of singer and Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson was one of two people found shot to death inside a home Friday.

Police have confirmed Hudson’s mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, is one of the deceased. The home where the bodies were discovered is at 7019 S. Yale in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. Property records indicate the home belongs to Donerson.

The other victim has been identified as Jennifer Hudson’s brother Jason Hudson.

A search is under way for a young boy who is missing from the home. A child, possibly Jennifer Hudson’s 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, is missing, according to sources. Police are searching for an SUV that was seen in the area, a 1994 white Suburban, Illinois license plate number X584859.

A second vehicle description, and a suspects name have now been released. An Amber Alert has been issued for 7-year old Julian King. A suspects name has also been released, William Balfour.

A Chicago police spokeswoman also said a 7-year-old boy was reported missing. Police identified him as Julian King, but they would not say whether he is a relative of the actress. He is 5-foot tall, weighs 135 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. An Amber
Alert has been issued for the missing boy.

The police said that they are searching for a William Balfour as a suspect in the double homicide. They said that he is considered to be armed and dangerous and may be driving white 1994 Chevrolet Suburban with Illinois license plate No. X584859 or a teal/green Chrysler Concord four-door with a left front headlight hanging out that is scratched all along its left side. The Chrysler is displaying temporary tags of 332K823.

The missing boy may be in the vehicle.

According to a source, the actress' sister reported the boy missing from the home.

Public records indicate the Suburban is registered to Jason Hudson, who neighbors said is Jennifer Hudson's brother. Authorites would not say whether he was one of the two victims.

Jennifer Hudson is not injured, her bodyguard told the Tribune before referring all questions to a publicist.

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, according to a spokesman for the Cook County medical examiner's office. The spokesman did not have the victims' identities.

politisite

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.

Tina Kells

at 15:46 on October 24th, 2008

Here is a picture of missing Julian King.

Police Searching For A Male Suspect, Abducted Kid

More Information On The Double Murder

(STNG) Two people were found murdered inside a South Side home Friday, including a man and woman believed to be related to Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson, authorities said.

Balfour may be driving a white Chevy Suburban SUV with Illinois license plate X584859 or a teal/green Chrysler Concord four-door sedan with a left front headlight hanging off and scratches on all along the left side with temporary tags 332K823.

Police are also searching for a 7-year-old boy who may have been abducted from the home by a suspect in the murders.

The victims, reportedly a woman in her 50s and a man in his 20s, have not been identified, but their bodies were found shot at about 3 p.m. in the 7000 block of South Yale, police said.

The missing boy, identified as Julian King, 7, may have been abducted by William Balfour, a suspect in the murder who is considered armed and dangerous, according to police.

Balfour may be driving a white Chevy Suburban SUV with Illinois license plate X584859 or a teal/green Chrysler Concord four-door sedan with a left front headlight hanging off and scratches on all along the left side with temporary tags 332K823.

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

Tina Kells

at 16:04 on October 24th, 2008

Here is a link to the amber alert from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:

JULIAN D. KING AMBER ALERT

ALERT FOR SUSPECT WILLIAM BALFOUR

Non-Family Abduction

JULIAN KING

DOB: Aug 14, 2001
Missing: Oct 24, 2008
Age Now: 7
Sex: Male
Race: Black
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Height: 4'11" (150 cm)
Weight: 130 lbs (59 kg)
Missing From:
CHICAGO
IL
United States
WILLIAM BALFOUR
Abductor
DOB: May 5, 1981
Sex: Male
Race: Black
Hair: Black
Eyes: Black
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
Weight: 150 lbs (68 kg)

The child 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.

ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT
Illinois State Police Clearinghouse for Missing Children
1-800-U-HELP-ME

ojt

at 16:10 on October 24th, 2008

Thanks

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

Tina Kells

at 16:20 on October 24th, 2008

Relationship between William Balfour and the Hudson family, possible romantic involvement with Jennifer Hudson's sister Julia.

Some reports are saying that Balfour is the husband of Jennifer Hudson's older sister Julia.

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.

Blue Crush

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