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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76. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jennifer Hudson and her family at this time. We hope they catch whoever has done this to such good people.

Posted at 5:41PM on Oct 30th 2008 by Bettyboop

77. OMG, I know if she just foung this out on the internet and has not talked to anyone she is Hysterical and probably in shock. OMG, my deepest prayers goes out to her and family because this is not something easy to deal with. I'm in pain for her.

Posted at 2:18PM on Oct 29th 2008 by TyLeeStark

78. How very, very sad. She must be in such terrible shock and grief, My thoughts and prayers are with you, Jennifer. May the higher powers above guide your steps in the days ahead.

Posted at 10:35AM on Oct 26th 2008 by Byteme

79. What a tragedy. That is awful. Thought6s and prayers with jennifer and her family. I'm shcoked and totally saddened by such violence. Horrible.

Posted at 7:00PM on Oct 24th 2008 by T-in-SD

80. #55 SRT..you are an ASS. I don't even care if this gets removed for using the word and not the ** sign. My husband was murdered 11 years ago by our neighbor who was drunk. My husband was 29 years old and had never had any legal problems other than a speeding ticket or 2. He was riding his lawn mower in his own yard...how dare you say what you said. You are truly ignorant and evil. May GOD bless your soul for the hurt your comment has made.

Posted at 7:00PM on Oct 24th 2008 by Helena Handbasket

81. What kindof a person does something like this? I hope they catch who did this and make them pay for their crime! To murder two people and abduct a child? I really hope that this wasn't over something as stupid as wanting to get money. It's a stupid and senseless thing to begin with, but if it were just to get her to pay a ransom, that is really LOW!

My condolences to Jennifer and her family.

Posted at 7:01PM on Oct 24th 2008 by OMG

82. @ 65 you're rotten on the inside....I hope your family isn't killed and people make fun of them being insensitive with racist comments.

@ 62 really? You're almost as bad as 65 what does Obama have to do with this? Disgusting cheap shot.


My condolences to the Hudson family.

Posted at 7:05PM on Oct 24th 2008 by Ebony

83. I though I was having a bad day,It looks like she lived in a ruff area of Chicago.God blees,our prat=yers are with you.Much love

Posted at 7:12PM on Oct 24th 2008 by joseph

84. They interviewed a church member and he said Jennifer's mom chose to stay in her house and with her church.

Posted at 7:05PM on Oct 24th 2008 by mom

85. I'm not hearless Melinda just realistic! Obviously you've never been to Inglewood. My prayers go out to Jennifer and her family and I pray that her nephew is found safely. I am not heartless just realistic. If her mom was not in THAT HOME IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THAT HOME AND IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD!!! No matter what my mother said, there is now way in Hell I would have let her stay in Inglewood! Especially if I had the financial means to provide better for her. Its so tragic and sad, and I pray for the little missing boy!

Posted at 7:08PM on Oct 24th 2008 by Kimberly

86. Sad when tragedies bring out all these negative people's character defects. Your true colors shining through and they're a nasty shade of ick. Very unfortunate. Nobody deserves to have such a tragic situation occur. Poor Jennifer.

Posted at 7:05PM on Oct 24th 2008 by T-in-SD

87. Local station now saying that neighbors heard shots fired about 8am. Jennifers mom lived in Englewood which is a VERY dangerous neighborhood of Chicago. They reported that with all of Jennifers fame and fortune, her mom refused to move from this area. What a waste of life. The newspapers are saying is was a domestic disturbance but the tv station is not saying that and the police didnt say that either.

Posted at 7:07PM on Oct 24th 2008 by just saw

88. First double murder now kidnapping? I smell a rat. Was the brother married? Is there an ex wife or current wife? Anyone know?

Posted at 8:15PM on Oct 24th 2008 by VictorsGal

89. Yes, take away and not allow law abiding citizens to have guns, that way only the criminals can have them. What a crazy country we have become.

Posted at 7:31PM on Oct 24th 2008 by Scott

90. Who"s Jennifer Hudson?

Posted at 7:48PM on Oct 24th 2008 by DG

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