Authorities are investigating the death of Jennifer Hudson’s mother and brother, after the two were found shot and killed in the family’s home in Chicago’s South Side, Friday.
Jennifer Hudson’s publicist was first to confirm the victims of the shootings were the Oscar-winner’s mother, Darnell Donerson, and her brother, Jason Hudson.
“We can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation concerning the deaths of Jennifer Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, and her brother, Jason Hudson,” Lisa Kasteler, Jennifer Hudson’s rep, said in a statement released to Access Hollywood. “No further comment will be made and the family has asked that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.”
On Friday evening, authorities finally confirmed publicly that the two people found murdered were Darnell and Jason.
The medical examiner’s office of Cook County confirmed the victims were Darnell, 57, and Jason, 29, according to the Chicago Tribune.
WMAQ in Chicago was the first to report that two adults were found shot to death inside the home on Chicago’s South Side.
On Friday afternoon, police told Access the incident “may be [related to a] domestic disturbance.”
Police also confirmed they issued an Amber Alert for a seven-year-old boy, named Julian King, who is believed to be Jennifer’s nephew.
Authorities named William Balfour “a suspect in the double homicide.”
The suspect was taken into custody and is being questioned, the Chicago Tribune reported late Friday. However, the boy was not found with the suspect.
Balfour had been considered to be “armed and dangerous,” police told Access earlier in the day.
Police had been looking for a 1994 white Suburban, which they believed may have contained Balfour and the boy. According to the Chicago Tribune, the vehicle is registered to Jason Hudson, Jennifer’s brother.
Access has confirmed Balfour resided at Darnell Donerson’s home in 2007.
Police told Access the victims were discovered at around 3 PM local time. Access has verified the address of the home where the victims were found is listed in Darnell Donerson’s name.
Jennifer, the former “American Idol” alum and Academy Award winner for her role in “Dreamgirls,” was in Florida at the time of the incident, according to WABC-TV in New York. She is now reportedly en route to Chicago.
In her self-titled debut album, released in September, Jennifer included a message of love to her family, including her mother.
“Next, of course, is u my mommy DARNELL AKA DOLL…,” Hudson wrote in the liner note of the album after thanking God. “Thank u for instilling in me that I could do anything I put my mind to and teaching me to always put God first. Thank you for loving me no matter what.”
After sending the message of thanks to her mother, Jennifer also including loving words for her siblings and her nephew.
“To the original JHUD’s, my big bro and sis JASON and JULIA, I love you so much. Thank you both for rooting me on and supporting me like nobody else. Also for believing in me and never letting me settle for just ok but the best. Because of u, I don’t believe in limits. LIL’ JULIAN KING my lil’ nephew, I love u, baby.”
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