October 28, 2008, Chicago: The former American Idol star and Academy Award winner, Jennifer Hudson, continues to mourn the murders of her mother, brother and now, as of yesterday, young nephew. Tragic news struck last week when Hudson’s mother and brother were discovered shot to death in their Chicago home on Friday. Her seven year-old nephew, Julian King, had been missing until yesterday. The nephew was the son of Julia Hudson, Jennifer’s sister. He was located in the trunk of the family’s stolen 1994 Chevy Suburban SUV. He had been shot to death.
The Chicago Police Department had issued an Amber Alert after the killings on Friday. The Chevrolet Suburban was phoned into Chicago authorities early Monday morning as a suspicious vehicle parked on Chicago’s West Side. Jennifer Hudson, best supporting actress in the 2006 movie “Dreamgirls”, had been promoting her latest film, “The Secret Life of Bees” in Florida last Friday when she received the terrible news. She immediately returned home and offered a $100,000 reward for the safe return of her nephew, seven year-old Julian. The Chicago authorities remain investigating the killings and are reporting William Balfour, the step father of Julian, is a person of interest. Mr. Balfour is currently detained by the Illinois Department of Corrections for an apparent parole violation. He is currently under questioning and no charges have been filed regarding the killings. It remains unknown if Balfour has requested a lawyer for representation during questioning.
Pressing news artisan Heather L. Ryan for JusticeNewsFlash a legal news distribution network covering stories relating to breaking news, wrongful death claims, criminal and legal news reports, civil justice litigation, and victims advocate legal actions.
