Chicago police this afternoon announced the arrest of a suspect in the brutal homicides of actress’ Jennifer Hudson’s mother, brother, and young nephew. William Balfour, the estranged husband of Hudson’s sister, was handed over to detectives by prison officials today.
The bodies of Hudson’s mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson and brother, Jason Hudson, were discovered in their South Side Chicago home about a month ago, on October 24. An intense search followed for the missing 7-year-old nephew. Three days later, young Julian King’s body was found in an SUV on Chicago’s West Side. All three victims had been shot to death.
Balfour was taken into custody as a “person of interest” on the day the first two bodies were found. Shortly after questioning, Balfour was sent back to prison on a parole violation. Balfour served seven years in prison on a 1999 conviction for attempted murder and vehicle hijacking.
The tragedy has forced Jennifer Hudson to put her entertainment career on hold. Recently, the singer released a well-received self-titled album. She starred in “The Secret Life of Bees,” which came out a few weeks ago. Jennifer Hudson got her first break as a finalist on the TV talent show, “American Idol.” She won the best supporting actress Oscar in 2007 for her role in the movie musical, “Dreamgirls.”
