Jennifer Hudson’s Mother And Brother Killed
Published by Marcus Vanderberg on Friday, October 24, 2008 at 6:23 pm.
Jennifer Hudson’s mother and brother were found shot and killed inside her mother’s home this afternoon in Chicago according to WLS-TV.
A representative of the family’s church, Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist, confirms that 57-year-old Darnell Hudson was one of the victims.
The second male victim is reportedly Hudson’s brother, Jason.
According to CBS 2 Chicago, police were searching for a man and 7-year-old boy. The man is known as William Balfour has braids in his hair, and could be driving a 1994 white Chevy with the license plate X584859, according to police. Balfour is married to Jennifer Hudson’s sister, Julia. Records show that Balfour has listed Hudson’s mother’s address as a place of residence within the last year and is currently on parole after serving jail time for attempted murder.
The boy, identified as Julian King, Hudson’s nephew, was wearing a tan jersey with the number 5 on it and tan slacks.
Update:
According to TMZ.com:
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.
More on the Jennifer Hudson tragedy:
Hudson Family Offers $100K Reward
RSS Feed

My prayers goes out to the hudson family, the story was so sad i hope that the person who did this is brought to justice. god bless and stay strong we love you
Hi Jennifer this is eric from jacksonville fla im so sorry to hear about your family my prayers are with you. Just to let you knw God knws how much we can bearGod will give you the peace that will past all understanding
Hey Jennifer i see what you all are going through right now.I am so so hurt to see you down like this but you cant help it.I cant say i fell your pain because i havent lost my mom or brother yet .But i can relate to you because ilost my grandfather i he was my HERO and i miss him so so so much.When he died i wanted to kill my self .But what i had to realize is there is people who need and love you.SO DO NOT NEVER GIVE UP!………………..
AGE:14
DOTHAN ,ALABAMA
Ms. Hudson, my prayers are with you and your family. I pray that you continue to strive and be the best that you can be, You are a inspiration and have great talents
Since hearing about the family tragedy on the news, not one day has went by that I have not thought about the family. It is such a regret when something as horrible as a triple murder in one family happens. My prayers are with you all and please stay strong and hold on to each other. It does not seem to matter how successful and properous a person is; we can not escape personal tragedy and grief. I pray for all of you, asking our Saviour to give you strength and guidance so that you may all find peace and hope to go on with life. The person or person’s who committed this crime will come to justice; either in this life or when they face our Father and Saviiour.
To Jennifer and Julia, My heart and my deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. I cannot stop crying. I too live in chicagoland. I know that nothing in this world right now can compare or give in exchange to what you are feeling and going through. Jesus said that he was touched with the feelings of our affirmaties. God knows, he cares and he sees. He saw way before it happened. All things are in his hand. Look to him. He said to lean on him when you have no strength to stand. When you feel that you are going under hold tighter to his hand. Lean on him when your heart begans to bleed. When you jennifer and julia come to that place that God is all the you have, then you will find that God is all that you need. Love Ya!
I cant imagine your pain. my heart goes out to you and your family. Be strong and know that god will get you tthrough this and the person responsible will suffer the consequence, you are a wonderful person and i know you will make it thru. with all my love fatima
Jennifer, I am sorry for your loss, I know that family is everything to us especially our mother. But she would want you to keep your head up and keep going strong. She will be with you every step of the way. Mommy is not gone far. So you keep being all that you can be. We love you. And if you need to reach out and touch we are just a finger away. Your fans are your family.
Love you and your sister.
Madaliene Lindsay
I’m so sorry about your tragic loss. I’ve never lossed a very close family member before. This happened right before halloween. This stupid act ain’t none but the devil. This is a time you and your family need to lean on Jesus!! He does everything for a reason. None of us don’t know the reason why he did it but all you need to know is he took them away for a very good cause. NEVER dout him. NEVER ask he why he does these things. Get closer to him. He loves you and everyone that sends you these messages luv you to. We are here for you in your time of need.
i am very sorry for your lost. you and your family will be in thoughts and prayers. god has a plan for us all. just know they are with our lord jesus christ. i shall pray for you to keep your strenght in your time and need. keep your head up babygirl.
TO THE HUDSON FAMILY I AM SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR HORREFIC LOSS MY SELF AND MY FAMILY FEEL YOUR PAIN ALTHOUGH I DONT KNOW YOU PERSONALLY I FEEL YOU (JENNIFER) ARE A GROUNDED PERSON AND YOU HAVE A GOOD HEART . YOUR SISTER NEED YOU TO BE STRONG FOR HER AND SHE FOR YOU GOD IS WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS TRAGEDY. PLEASE KNOW JENNIFER YOU HAVE SUPPORT FROM THE WORLD YOU TAKE ALL THE TIME YOU NEED AND COME BACK AND SHARE YOUR BEAUTIFUL MUSIC FOR ALL THE WORLD TO LOVE GOD BE WITH YOU ALL NADINE FREELAND.
ONLY GOD KNOWS WHAT THIS FAMILY IS GOING THRU!!! TO JENNIFER AND EVERYONE IN THE HUDSON FAMILY I AM TRULEY SORRY FOR THIS HORRIFIC CRIME. HOW CAN SOMEONE BE SO HEARTLESS AND COLD?? GOD HAS EVERYTHING WORKED OUT FOR U GUYS AND I PRAY THAT U HAVE STRENGTH AND COURAGE FOR EACH OTHER. LOVE ALWAYS AND KEEP YOUR HEAD UP
I would just like to extend my deepest condolences to jennifer and her entire family in their time of sorrow and to just let them know that there are still people in this world that care about other peope. So Jennifer I say to you this day KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND ALWAYS KEEP GOD IN YOUR LIFE!!!!!
MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU IN YOUR TIME OF BEREAVEMENT I LOVE YOU
i praying for the hudson family i pray that yall continue to be strong and stay with God as yall get through this i kno dat it itz hard but goot to stay prayed up and let God have his way he knows wat to do and knows wats going to happen so i send my condolences to you and your family God bless yall
TO THE HUDSON FAMILY, im truely sorry for your lost you are in my family prayers always my deep condolences remember always god only give us only what we can bear.I LOST A BROTHER ALSO SO I NO WHAT AND HOW YOU FEEL SISTER THIS IS YOUR STORM KEEP YOUR MIND ON GOD AND HE WILL HELP YOU THROUGH THE STORM JENNIFER. LOVE ALWAYS, THE GRIMMETT@LYNCH FAMILY.
I would just like to send my condolences to the Hudson family. I know how it is to lose a mother and close family at a young age. I only 15 and I kind of know the pain this family must be experiencing.
In My Prayers
Miss Wilson
hi jennifer my prayes gose out to you and your sister for the lose of your mother and brother and i will countin to pray for you
My heart is full of condolences and sympathy at this time. I feel that Jennifer will always remember this moment, but I hope she will heal and stay strong. I know it is easier said than done, but I hope the best for her. Luv and prayers go out 2 u Ms. HUDSON!!!!
My sympathy goes out to the family thats crazy i hope they find out who did this. I will pray for your family but now they are in a better place and thats in heaven. love you.
My heart goes out to your family Jennifer and Julia I am so heart broken I feel like I know you personally. I was torn apart when I heard the news. I always listen to spotlight on my way to work everyday and I sing it really good because I sing 1st soprano so I am able to hit all the high notes. I know it is hard for your family to be strong and I can’t imagine your deepest hurt but God will carry you Jennifer and Julia. God will make you stronger Jennifer to continue to do his will and that is singing and acting and more than that. I ask that God bring you out of this most hurtful time in your life. My condolences are with you. May God’s Grace be with you. Always