Hudson's mother, brother, nephew found dead

Arts and Culture

Hudson's mother, brother, nephew found dead

The mother and brother of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson were the two people found slain today in a South Side home, according to a publicist for Hudson.

An unidentified member of the Hudson family reacts to the huge amount of flowers, stuffed animals and balloons as she arrives to retrieve items from the family home Oct. 28, 2008. The body of Julian King, Jennifer Hudson's nephew, was found Monday slumped in the back seat of a Chevrolet Suburban, about 72 hours after a gunman killed his grandmother and uncle.

Unidentified family members are moved to tears by the expressions of sympathy outside the home where Oscar-winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson' mother and brother were found dead Oct. 24.

A Chicago Police Department photographer takes pictures near a trash can on the city's West Side, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008, where they were searching for evidence near the site where 7-year-old Julian King was found shot to death in an SUV on Monday.

The growing memorial for Jennifer Hudson's slain family members, including her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew, outside her mother's home, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008.

A cross with a photo of 7-year-old Julian King, nephew of singer and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, was added to the makeshift memorial outside the home of Darnell Donerson, Hudson's mother, in Chicago. Julian was found shot to death inside an SUV Monday, Oct., 27 on the city's West Side. Donerson and her son, Jason Hudson, were found shot to death inside the home on Friday, Oct. 24.

A woman takes a photograph of the makeshift memorial for Darnell Donerson, her son Jason Hudson, and grandson 7-year-old Julian King on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008.

A photograph of Darnell Donerson and grandson Julian King at the makeshift memorial Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, outside Donerson's home in Chicago.

Crosses, teddy bears and balloons honor the memory of Darnell Donerson, her son Jason Hudson and grandson, 7-year-old Julian King, outside Donerson's home in Chicago.

Friends and neighbors continued to pile symbols of grief and love in the makeshift memorial outside Darnell Donerso's Chicago home.

Latasha Garvin says a prayer during at a service for Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson and her family outside Hudson's mother and brother's home on the Southside of Chicago.

Actress Jennifer Hudson, right, and her mother Darnell Donerson are seen in this March 6, 2007 photo at the Chicago Theatre in Chicago. Hudson's mother and brother were found shot dead Friday at a South Side Chicago home. On Monday, police identified a body found in an SUV as that of Hudson's 7-year-old nephew, who had been missing.

Residents participate in a candlelight vigil for Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson and her family outside Hudson's mother and brother's home on the Southside of Chicago, Monday, Oct. 27, 2008. Police found the body of Julian King, Hudson's 7-year-old nephew, early Monday morning.

Several young people participate in the candlelight vigil for Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson and her family outside Hudson's mother and brother's home.

Two wooden crosses, balloons and stuffed animals are placed in memorial outside the home of Darnell Donerson and Jason Hudson.

The Rev. Luther McDade, left, joins Tacara Juarez, right, and a woman who would not give her name, as they offer up Muslim and Christian prayers for Darnell Donerson and Jason Hudson, the mother and brother of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson.

Sharita Dickey, center, gets support from Laneka Manson, left, and Monell Manson, right, as she cries out with a prayer for Darnell Donerson and Jason Hudson.

Arthur Reed Jr., pastor of the The Calvary Light Pentecostal Church, posts a new message, Monday, Oct. 27, 2008, after neighbors learned that a child's body had been found.

Neighbors of Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother continued to mourn over the slayings.

Police investigate the scene where a child's body was found in a 1994 white Chevrolet Suburban, Monday, October 27, 2008, in Chicago. Authorities later said the body was that of Jennifer Hudson's 7-year-old nephew. Hudson's mother and brother were found shot to death at home on Friday.

A photo released Oct. 24, 2008, by the Chicago Police Department shows 7-year-old Julian King, Jennifer Hudson's nephew. According to the Associated Press, a top FBI official said Monday that a body found in an SUV is believed to be that of Julian King, the focus of a desperate search since the Oscar winner's mother and brother were found shot to death in their home.

Mourners paid their respects with items left for a memorial on Saturday, October 25, 2008, at the home of Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, who was found slain along with Hudson's brother Jason, 29, on Friday.

A group led by community activist Andrew Holmes, right, prays at the makeshift memorial.

Jeremy Walker, left, and Bobby Moore bring a stuffed animal to the makeshift memorial outside the home belonging to the family of Oscar-winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson.

Crystal McFerrin, a neighbor of Darnell Donerson, pays her respects outside Donerson's home.

Rose Simpson brings a flower to the makeshift memorial.

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An unidentified member of the Hudson family reacts to the huge amount of flowers, stuffed animals and balloons as she arrives to retrieve items from the family home Oct. 28, 2008. The body of Julian King, Jennifer Hudson's nephew, was found Monday slumped in the back seat of a Chevrolet Suburban, about 72 hours after a gunman killed his grandmother and uncle.

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