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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46. How horrible and unreal. No one deserves this whether a family member(s) of a celebrity or anyone else. Jennifer, my thoughts are with you.

Posted at 1:05PM on Oct 25th 2008 by Barb

47. I feel sorry for Jennifer with her career gaining momentum as it is, God please lead her through this tragic storm in her life. God bless

Posted at 6:58PM on Oct 24th 2008 by Mookie

48. We'll pray for our Chicago girl. Chicago can be a tough place. Even the hot/trendy areas of the city can get dangerous.

Posted at 6:33PM on Oct 24th 2008 by Beat E.

49. 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


Who would you be blaming if they had been stabbed to death.....STERLING SILVER?

What a dumbass!

Posted at 6:33PM on Oct 24th 2008 by Mr. A

50. my thoughts and payres are with the family, and jennifer i fell so sorry for her, i hope they rest in peace

Posted at 1:09PM on Oct 25th 2008 by panther

51. Re: I hope the NRA is happy. This is the kind of thing they never seem to get around to mentioning.

Hmmm...ok...and what anti-gun nuts like you will not mention is that they might have had a chance to survive this attack had they armed themselves against thugs who will not "register" or turn in their guns even in your myopic gun free world.

Tell that garbage to all the victims of guns in some of these cities where they have the most stringent gun control laws. It's punishment (reliable and consistent) for those who ILLEGALLY use guns that will eventually have an impact on those who would misuse guns.

Liberals will never grasp that simple fact.

Posted at 12:49PM on Oct 27th 2008 by Stevo

52. Now people can see why all the people thats making it in this world move away. Its just not safe to be around the same people once you get into money. Damn shame you cant live amongst the people you've grown up with. YOU'RE in my prayers Jennifer.

Posted at 11:22PM on Oct 25th 2008 by rider32

53. Maybe, They wanted money?? Her money?? She will not be the same person after this, she'll blame herself. What a sin. The saddest.

Posted at 7:25PM on Oct 24th 2008 by anon

54. My local Chicago news justed reported that Jennifer's mother and brother were murdered and Jennifer's nephew is missing from the home. There is a lookout for a white '94 suburban SUV. My prayers to the family.

Posted at 6:35PM on Oct 24th 2008 by just saw

55. WILL PRAY FOR THE FAMILY. THAT IS SO SO SAD.. THIS ONE WILL HURT FOR A LONG TIME..

Posted at 6:42PM on Oct 24th 2008 by jane

56. such a tragedy...my heart goes out to this family.

Posted at 9:40AM on Oct 26th 2008 by krj

57. There is a AMBER alert out for yet another family member of hers. She is on her way back to Chgo from Tampa.. She should be here sometime tonight.

The boy ( Jennifer Nephew ) is now missing. VERY VERY SICK and SAD

A few weeks ago Jennifers sister had her car stolen and the dude who stole the car has made threats of killing the entire family. Story still unfolding.

Posted at 6:36PM on Oct 24th 2008 by RockChick

58. This is just awful and senseless. Hang in there, Jennifer! You have a lot of people keeping you and your family in their thoughts and prayers.

Posted at 6:39PM on Oct 24th 2008 by Hang in there!

59. Dang you're a retard. What a trashy thing to saywhen someone is going through all of this. Not everybody has the means to live in an upscale home. You have to work very hard to get yourself out of poverty but you wouldn't know that because you've never had to go through it. My thoughts and prayers are with the Hudson family and I hope that Jennifer has a good support system around her. Dang you're still a retard.

Posted at 3:48PM on Oct 25th 2008 by Ellen

60. Re: #15 comment...anti-NRA moron
I hate people that use tragedies like this to spout off their idiotic political views. Just shut the hell up and keep your stupid ass comments to yourself cuz you sure don't seem to care about this particular tragedy.
I feel for Hudson even though I never seen or heard anything by her. She seems nice in interviews though. Very unfortunate situation.

Posted at 6:42PM on Oct 24th 2008 by apathetic

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