Oct 25 2008
Jennifer Hudson’s Mother And Brother Slain, Suspect in Custody
From clockwise;The Donnerson home, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, Hudson’s nephew Julian King, and her mother, Darnell Donnerson.
Jennifer Hudson has become a rising star in the world of celebrity entertainment, but now, the entire entertainment world has been saddened by the violent deaths of Hudson’s mother and brother.
According to a publicist for Hudson, the singer is devastated by the brutal murders, and by the disappearance of her seven year old nephew.The bodies of Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donnerson , 57, and her 29 year old brother, Jason Hudson , were found by by police Friday at a Chicago home listed as owned by the actress and her mother.
Preliminary autopsy reports conducted early Saturday state that Donnerson and Jason Hudson died of gunshot wounds, and their deaths were ruled as homicides, according to the Cook County Medical Examiners office.
The Chicago Tribune is reporting that William Balfour , the boyfriend of Hudson’s sister, Julia Hudson, is being held in custody. Balfour was taken into custody after a manhunt that lasted several hours, and an Amber Alert has been issued for Julian King, Julia Hudson’s seven year old son.
Illinois Department of Corrections records indicate that Balfour was currently on parole after having spent seven years in prison for attempted murder, hijacking a vehicle, and possession of a stolen vehicle.His mother, Michelle Davis Balfour states that he had been married to Julia Hudson until a recent separation, and had at one point lived in the Donnerson home.
Jennifer Hudson won an Academy Award for her portrayal of “Effie” in the 2006 movie version of the Broadway hit, “Dreamgirls “. She first gained public recognition as a finalist on the third season of hit television show, “American Idol “.
Hudson has been touring the country recently to promote her latest film, the critically acclaimed “The Secret Life of Bees “, which opened in theaters last week.
William Balfour is currently on parole for attempted murder
