Jennifer Hudson’s family members were tragically murdered in 2008 in Chicago. Her mother, Darnell Donerson, and her brother, Jason Hudson, were shot to death in their Englewood home. Her sister Julia’s son, Julian King, was also killed. Hudson’s former brother-in-law, William Balfour, was convicted of these murders and sentenced to life in prison. In May, Balfour had been convicted of breaking into the Hudson family home and fatally shooting Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, and her brother Jason Hudson.
Just two years later, Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, and brother Jason were found shot to death in their Englewood home. Hudson got candid about the 2008 murders in a recent interview ahead of her co-starring role in Cats. The Academy Award winner and American Idol alum’s mother, Darnell Donerson, and brother Jason were found shot to death in their Englewood home on October 24, 2015. Hudson’s brother, Jason, and her mother, Darnell, were murdered by her sister Julia’s estranged husband, William Balfour.
Prosecutors said that Balfour shot Hudson’s mother, brother, and seven-year-old nephew after his estranged wife refused to reconcile with him. A Chicago jury convicted Hudson’s former brother-in-law of murdering her mother, brother, and seven-year-old nephew. Hudson, 34, said that what helped him get frank about the 2008 murders was her estranged wife refusing to reconcile with him.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| The Jennifer Hudson Family Murder Case | Shot to death were Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, and her brother, Jason Hudson. Missing from the home was Julian King, the son of … | thoughtco.com |
| Killer of Jennifer Hudson’s family in first interview with I-Team | A jury found that on Oct. 24, 2008, Balfour shot and killed Hudson’s mother and brother in their Englewood home and abducted her 7-year-old … | abc7chicago.com |
| All About Jennifer Hudson’s Family, Including Her Siblings … | In 2008, Jennifer’s brother, Jason, and her mother, Darnell, were murdered by her sister Julia’s estranged husband, William Balfour. Balfour … | people.com |
📹 Jennifer Hudson Takes Stand in Family’s Murder Trial; Emotional Testimony
Chicago prosecutors created a buzz by calling Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson as their first witness during the trial of the man …
Who Is Jennifer Hudson'S Brother-In-Law William Balfour?
In 2012, William Balfour, Jennifer Hudson's former brother-in-law, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murders of Hudson's mother, brother, and 7-year-old nephew in 2008. Hudson, affected by the tragedy, found solace in the birth of her son, David, with fiancé David Otunga in 2009. Balfour was found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Hudson's family members on October 24, 2008. The jury established that Balfour killed Hudson's mother and brother at their home in Englewood and abducted her nephew in a jealous rage.
He was described by the judge as having a "soul as barren as dark space." Balfour had a criminal history, including previous prison time for attempted murder and vehicle theft, and was on parole at the time of the murders. The case garnered significant media attention, with a jury convicting Balfour after a trial where prosecutors characterized the acts as revenge-driven. Despite the evidence, Balfour maintained his innocence following the verdict.
Hudson's family's tragic loss and Balfour's conviction highlighted issues surrounding violence and grief, with the actress's personal journey intertwined with the legal proceedings stemming from this horrific crime. Balfour's life sentence reflects the severe nature of his offenses against Hudson’s family.
Who Was Jennifer Hudson?
Hudson was the initial witness called by prosecutors, and during her testimony, she shared heartfelt memories of her murdered family, particularly her nephew, Julian King, whom she affectionately nicknamed Tugga Bear. Jennifer Kate Hudson, born on September 12, 1981, in Chicago, Illinois, is a prominent American singer and actress, also known as J. Hud. She has received numerous prestigious awards, including the EGOT—an honor for winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.
Hudson gained fame as a finalist on "American Idol" in 2004, where she built a loyal fan base. She later starred in acclaimed films, such as "Dreamgirls," for which she won an Academy Award. Known for her powerful voice and talent, Hudson has carved out a successful career in both music and acting. Recently, there was speculation regarding her relationship with rapper Common, as they discussed potential marriage during an episode of her talk show.
Hudson continues to be celebrated for her contributions to the entertainment industry. She is recognized as the youngest female EGOT winner in history and remains a significant figure, blending her roles as a singer, actress, producer, and talk show host, all while remaining grateful for her journey and experiences in the spotlight.
What Happened To Jennifer Hudson'S Mother And Brother?
On October 24, 2008, tragedy struck when Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and brother, Jason Hudson, 29, were found murdered in their Chicago home. They were shot to death, and Hudson's 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, was missing, having been abducted during the attack. The perpetrator, William Balfour, the estranged husband of Hudson's sister Julia, was later found guilty of the murders. A jury determined that Balfour acted out of jealousy and rage, breaking into the family's home in Englewood and committing the heinous crimes.
The shocking event left Hudson and her fans devastated. Authorities recovered Julian's body days later, marking a heartbreaking conclusion to the family's tragedy. In May 2012, Balfour was convicted for his actions and sentenced to life in prison. Jennifer Hudson spoke openly about the impact of these events on her life and career, highlighting the deep personal loss she suffered. The brutal crime shocked the nation, leading to widespread media coverage and public outpouring of sympathy for Hudson and her family.
📹 Jennifer Hudson Confronts The Man That Took Everything From Her
Jennifer Hudson, one of the world’s most acclaimed artists, faced an unimaginable tragedy in a single day. Her mother and …
The brother was a drug dealer..They “the Jennifer Hudson family” said the police wrongfully zoomed in on Balfours because they had a high profile case on their hands and needed a suspect but they also sentenced this man after wrongfully zooming in on him what the f*** is really going on make this make some sense.