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Jennifer Hudson 'remained strong' as she identified shot nephew
Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson "remained strong for her family" when she identified the body of her murdered seven-year-old nephew, a spokesman for the medical examiner's office has revealed.
By Alex Starritt
Last Updated: 7:31PM GMT 28 Oct 2008
Hudson said, "Yes, that's him," when she was shown the face of
Julian King on a wall-mounted video screen. She entered the room with her
head bowed but "remained strong for her family," said the
spokesman. "It was very clear that she was the leader. She held hands
with her family. It was obviously a very emotional moment."
The actress, who won an Oscar for her role in Dreamgirls, had offered a
$100,000 dollar reward on Sunday for the safe return of her nephew, which
was accompanied by an emotional plea from the boy's mother, Julia. He was
reported missing on Friday, after Hudson's mother and brother had been found
shot dead in their home. Julian's body was found on Monday, also shot dead,
in his uncle's white SUV, which had been stolen on the day of the shootings,
14 miles from the family home in Englewood on Chicago's South Side.
Hours after his body was discovered, the reward notice was removed from
Hudson's website and replaced with a short message: "Thank you for your
prayers and calls. The support has been overwhelming and we thank you for
being there for us through this tough time. Sincerely, the Hudson family."
Julian's step-father, William Balfour, who had become estranged from the boy's
mother, has been in custody since Friday and is being held over violation of
his parole. He has denied involvement in the killings and has reportedly
stopped talking to investigators. Balfour, a baker who has convictions for
attempted murder and carjacking, had fallen out with Hudson's family after
being asked to move out of the family home in Englewood last winter.
Hudson, who rose to fame after competing in the television talent show
American Idol, has often credited her upbringing in the impoverished suburb
of Chicago with her success. She had, however, encouraged her mother to move
away from the crime-ridden area. Miss Donerson refused, saying she did not
want her daughter's fame to change her life.
Neighbours had heard gunshots on Friday morning but were so used to the sound
that they ignored them. An autopsy showed that Miss Donerson, 59, and Mr
Hudson, 29, died from multiple gunshot wounds. Police say they are treating
the murders as a "domestic" crime. They now believe the shootings
began when a gunman fired through a door and hit Mr Hudson. The attacker
then went into the house and continued to fire, hitting Miss Donerson.
Family friends said Balfour and his wife had recently been arguing over
ownership of her car.
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