Jennifer Hudson's Mother Found Dead

Jennifer HudsonUPDATE 11:26 PM ET: The suspect, William Balfour, has been taken into custody. Hudson's nephew, 7-year-old Julian King is still missing, according to WFLD-Chicago. Balfour is refusing to cooperate with cops or supply info.

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.

UPDATE 6:40 PM ET: An all points bulletin has been issued for a boy, believed to be Hudson's 7-year-old nephew (right), who may have been taken from the scene. Police are looking for 1994 white Suburban with the license plate X584859.

UPDATE 7:35 PM ET: Police are looking for William Balfour (left), who they claim could be with the missing 7-year-old. According to records, Balfour listed Hudson's mother's address as a place of residence within the last year. According to the Illinois Department of Corrections website, Balfour is currently on parole after serving jail time for attempted murder.

UPDATE 8:35 PM ET: Lost in all this is Jennifer's sister Julia, mother of the missing 7-year-old. We're told she works as a bus driver in Chicago. Her employer told us she worked her shift today. She hasn't been seen since.

UPDATE 9:20 PM ET: A WBBM reporter is saying that neighbors have said a family member in the Hudson household apparently tried to steal a car a few weeks ago, an argument ensued, and he vowed revenge. A photo on Julia's MySpace page (bottom) posted prior to today's events alludes to some kind of dispute with William over a car.



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Reader Comments

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16. What a horrible thing to happen to such a lovely young woman. I hope they catch whomever did this and quickly. I heard news reports that her niece is still being held for ransom.
Prayers for the family.

Posted at 7:42PM on Jan 10th 2009 by deede

17. I hope the NRA is happy. This is the kind of thing they never seem to get around to mentioning.
Prayers to Jennifer Hudson. Her mother and brother. This has to be devastating.

Posted at 6:01PM on Oct 24th 2008 by SuperStarSteve

18. I heard they kidnapped her sister's child and are holding them hostage

Posted at 4:51PM on Oct 25th 2008 by jaydub

19. I am totally shocked to hear of the breaking news about Jennifer's mother and brother! I will pray for Jennifer and her family.
God bless her family and God help her get through this VERY difficult time.

Posted at 8:14PM on Oct 24th 2008 by VictorsGal

20. #15:SuperStarSteve,

Why would the NRA be happy? Do you actually think that whoever shot and killed these two innocent people had a registered weapon? I'm sure that whoever did this obtained their weapon illegally.

My condolences to the Jennifer Hudson family...

Posted at 6:08PM on Oct 24th 2008 by E

21. #15
Why do you have to inject your idiocy in such a somber story?

Posted at 6:09PM on Oct 24th 2008 by Maynerd

22. Her mom was living in her original house in the Englewood neighborhood on the south side of chicago. Her parents chose to stay because they had ties to the community.

Posted at 6:09PM on Oct 25th 2008 by Cassandra

23. What an awful awful tragedy, Shows people how life can be taken away so easily. She was on the top of the world, enjoying what fruits she had labored for and now she has to deal with an uspeakable tragedy. My prayers go out to her and her family. Absolutely heartbreaking.

Posted at 6:11PM on Oct 24th 2008 by WARDMAN3

24. That is TERRIBLE. My heart goes out to Jennifer and her family. What a shame.

Posted at 6:14PM on Oct 24th 2008 by DisappointedInFellowAmericans

25. I just saw the report on Fox news. I can't believe it. My thoughts go out to Jennifer and her family and I hope that they find the perpetrators asap.

Posted at 8:14PM on Oct 24th 2008 by Lacy

26. In response to this...I am pretty sure the NRA has absolutely no control over this. It is not the associations fault that there are criminals out there who unfortunately use guns to kill, rob or threaten people. There are many, MANY people out there, like almost my entire family who use guns for sport, such as hunting or competitions. Are they to blame for owning a firearm? I think not. Be careful who you are judging and pointing the finger at.

15. I hope the NRA is happy. This is the kind of thing they never seem to get around to mentioning.
Prayers to Jennifer Hudson. Her mother and brother. This has to be devastating.

Posted at 6:01PM on Oct 24th 2008 by SuperStarSteve

Posted at 6:15PM on Oct 24th 2008 by Victoria

27. I know what its like to lose a loved one to murder. She will never be the same. Poor lady.

Posted at 6:14PM on Oct 24th 2008 by stan

28. Wow, this is sad, I am just speechless, for once

Posted at 6:15PM on Oct 24th 2008 by Adrienne

29. "We're told the two bodies were found dead on the scene at 2:44 PM."

Sentences like this always bother me.
When have they ever found LIVE bodies?
If they do, they NEVER say something like, "two bodies were found live at the scene."

Posted at 6:17PM on Oct 24th 2008 by Diafel

30. http://www.tmiwireless.com/?aid=25823

God bless Jennifer.

Posted at 6:15PM on Oct 24th 2008 by so sorry

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