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Jennifer Hudson's Nephew Murdered

October 28, 2008

Hudson has identified the boy's body as her nephew


By Jeffrey Jolson

HOLLYWOOD,CA(RushPRnews/Hollywood Today)10/28/08 — The dead boy found in an SUV similar to the one Chicago police had been looking for, possibly driven by the prime suspect in the murders of Jennifer Hudson mother and brother, has been identified as Jennifer Hudson's nephew. The suspect, William Balfour, is in custody, but not charged, and he is the estranged husband of the Oscar-winner’s sister, and mother of the missing seven-year-old, Julian.

Until police IDed the dead child, Jennifer Hudson’s family had put up a $100,000 reward for the safe return of her nephew. Julian King had been missing since Hudson’s mother and brother were shot on Friday.

Jennifer’s mother Darnell Donerson, 57, and brother Jason Hudson, 29, were found dead at Donerson’s South Side Chicago home, as police said they were looking for a white SUV that may have been used to abduct the boy.

The FBI has stepped in as the boy could have been brought across state lines, and police may perhaps be holding off charging Balfour until they can find out more about what happened in the grisly murder-kidnapping. Balfour is an ex-con who recently spent seven years in jail for attempted murder and carjacking.

It all seems to add up on paper, the police even said the case was “domestic related.” Yet there is still an Amber Alert for the boy, which says police are looking for a white Chevrolet Suburban SUV, which is roughly the vehicle the dead boy was found in. But still no double or triple murder charges, though they can hold Balfour at present for non-related parole violations.

Hudson thanked fans for their calls and prayers on her MySpace page. Her post reads: “Please keep praying for our family and that we get Julian King back home safely. If anyone has any information about his whereabouts please contact the authorities immediately.”

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.
Julian King hasn’t been seen since Friday, when Hudson’s mother and brother were found shot to death in their home. Police on Sunday ramped up search efforts for Julian around the Englewood neighborhood, where Hudson grew up, and transferred custody of a “person of interest” in the killings to state authorities.

On Sunday evening, in a statement from publicist Lisa Kasteler, the singer 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,” the statement said.

“Detectives are working 24 hours on this case,” said Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond. “There’s a lot of forensic evidence. We have to work the evidence and try and solve this case. Most importantly, we want to find the child.”

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