Authorities are investigating the shooting deaths of Jennifer Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, and brother, Jason Hudson. They are also searching for the missing 7-year-old nephew of the Oscar-winning
actress. Young Julian King has not been seen since the bodies of Donerson, 57, and Hudson, 29, were found Friday afternoon in Donerson’s South Side Chicago home. An Amber Alert to find him remains in effect.
In a statement to reporters, Jennifer Hudson’s representative, Lisa Kasteler, said, “We can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation concerning the deaths of Jennifer Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, and her brother, Jason Hudson. No further comment will be made and the family has asked that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.”
A family member entering Donerson’s South Side home Friday afternoon found the woman shot on the living room floor. Officers later found Hudson shot in the bedroom, police said.
At least one of the victims suffered defensive wounds, said authorities who described the shooting as domestic violence.
William Balfour, a man suspected in the deaths, was arrested Friday and remained in custody Saturday morning.
Police spokeswoman Monique Bond said investigators were talking to “a number of people in custody” but she declined to elaborate. An Amber Alert issued Friday said Balfour was a suspect in the double homicide.
Records from the Illinois Department of Corrections show Balfour, 27, is on parole and spent nearly seven years in prison for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possessing a stolen vehicle. Public records show one of Balfour’s addresses as the home where Donerson and Jason Hudson were shot.
Balfour’s MySpace page suggests his violent streak and his desire not to be known as Jennifer Hudson’s hanger-on. It says, in part, “I don’t tolerate bulls***, so don’t come to me with it, I like to live life and experience everything … I might as well let you all know that Jennifer Hudson is my wife’s sister I’m proud of her and wish her nothing but the best in what she do but don’t hit me up asking bout her.”[via]
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