Tragedy Strikes Jennifer Hudson's Family

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William Balfour is the only person in custody for the murders of Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and nephew.

In a story that plays out like a horror film no one would want to star in, Jennifer Hudson has found herself in the middle of a family tragedy that is hard to imagine isn't a Hollywood script.  During a 72 hour period in October 2008, the Oscar-winning actress lost her mother, brother and nephew in what police are calling a domestic disturbance.

"We can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation concerning the deaths of Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, and her brother Jason Hudson," Hudson's personal publicist, Lisa Kasteler, said in a statement shortly after the murders took place. "No further comment will be made and the family has asked that their privacy be respected at this difficult time."

Chicago Police spokeswoman Monique Bond said police were talking to "a number of people in custody" on Friday night, only hours after the murders.  One of those people was William Balfour, Hudson's estranged brother-in-law.  Balfour remains the only person in custody for the murders. 

Deputy Chief Joseph Patterson said a family member entered the home around 3 p.m. Friday, found a woman shot on the living room floor and left to notify authorities. Responding officers found a man shot in the bedroom, Patterson said. There was no sign of forced entry.

Police tape blocked access to the large, white house, where a crowd gathered outside. Investigators searched with dogs and flashlights in foliage surrounding a church that faces the home.

Initially authorities issued an Amber Alert for 7-year-old Julian King and were seeking a white 1994 Chevrolet Suburban.  The car with the child's body was found on Monday October 27, 2008, three days after the alert was issued and the original two bodies were found.

New Details Emerge In Days Following Tragedy

While cops narrow down the suspect pool and attempt to learn all who were involved in the Hudson family murders, few details are emerging from the investigation.

Initially, on the day of the murders, authorities were searching for two vehicles -- the white SUV which had been recovered the following Monday morning with Julian King's body inside, as well as a significantly damaged green/teal Chrysler Concord.

Sources tell us that cops have discovered surveillance video from a high school on Chicago's South Side showing an unknown individual abandoning the vehicle shortly after cops believe the murders took place.

Less than a week after the horrific killings took place, cops searching an alley near where the once-missing SUV was located found a .45-caliber pistol lying on the ground.  Police later confirmed that it was indeed the murder weapon.

Keep checking back as AMW continues to follow the story as details emerge in this massive, ongoing investigation.

Jennifer Hudson's Nephew Recovered