Oscar winner’s mom, brother found murdered

Chicago, Oct. 25: The mother and brother of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson have been found dead at the family’s Chicago home, the apparent victims of a domestic dispute, according to news reports.

The bodies of Darnell Donnerson, 57, and her son Jason Hudson, 29, were found around three pm on Friday at Donnerson’s home in the Englewood neighbourhood of the city, reports said.

The police said the murders appeared to be the result of a domestic incident.

Neighbours said they heard gunshots early this morning, but it wasn’t until late afternoon that visitors to the home made the gruesome discovery and called the police.

A Chicago police spokesman said they were searching for a missing seven-year-old boy, Julian King, in connection with the double homicide.

News reports said the boy was Donnerson’s grandson. Officials also issued an Amber Alert, or nationwide alarm, for the boy and a white Chevrolet Suburban truck. News reports said that authorities believed that a suspect in the murders — William Balfour — could be driving the truck and was considered armed and dangerous.

Jennifer Hudson, 26, who shot to nationwide fame on the talent show American Idol and later earned an Oscar for supporting actress for her turn in Dreamgirls, was said to be flying home to Chicago from Tampa, Florida. —AFP