A suspect in the slayings of Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson’s mother and brother was transferred to state custody Sunday for violating his parole after he stopped cooperating with police investigating the killings and the disappearance of Hudson’s nephew, authorities and law-enforcement sources said.
Also on Sunday, Hudson offered a $100,000 reward for the return of her nephew, Julian King, 7, who has been missing since Hudson’s family members were discovered shot to death in their Englewood home Friday.
“Jennifer and her family appreciate the enormous amount of love, support and prayers they have received while she and her family try to cope with this tragedy and continue the search for Julian,” Hudson’s publicist, Lisa Kasteler, said in a statement announcing the reward. Information about the boy should be directed to Chicago detectives, Kasteler said.
Police and the FBI continued the search for Julian. On Sunday, police and volunteers fanned out into Englewood and surrounding neighborhoods, handing out fliers with a photograph of the boy and description of the vehicle.
William Balfour, 27, the estranged husband of Hudson’s sister Julia, was questioned at the Wentworth Area police station beginning Friday night and denied involvement in the murders or the disappearance of the boy, law-enforcement sources said. But at some point, Balfour stopped talking to authorities, the sources said.
On Sunday morning, Balfour was transferred to a state facility after officials said he violated conditions of parole for a 1999 conviction for attempted murder.
Chicago police this weekend declined to call Balfour a suspect, saying they have only been interviewing him. He has not been charged in the slayings.
But an alert on Friday about the missing boy named Balfour a suspect. And on Sunday, Illinois Department of Corrections spokeswoman Januari Smith said Balfour violated his parole because he is a suspect in the slayings and the boy’s disappearance. Balfour could be held in state custody until he goes before the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, which will determine whether he has violated parole. That could take weeks, Smith said.
The homicide investigation remains focused on Balfour, sources said. Balfour’s alibi the day of the killings has been contradicted by his girlfriend, law enforcement sources said. Balfour was arrested at the woman’s Southwest Side home Friday night. Balfour and Julia Hudson had been separated for some time, his family members said. A family friend said Balfour had threatened to take Julian away recently.
A family member of the girlfriend said police have interviewed her. Police also tracked Balfour’s whereabouts on Friday through his cell phone, sources said.
Balfour’s mother, Michele, said her son is not responsible for the killings or Julian’s disappearance, adding that he was with his girlfriend that day.
“How are they doing this to him? This is because they’re stuck in an investigation,” his mother said Sunday.
The killings occurred about 9 a.m. Friday when a gunman shot through the front door of Darnell Donerson’s home, striking Jason Hudson, 29, first before continuing through the door and shooting Donerson, 57, sources said.
Accustomed to gunfire, neighbors did not call police.
A family member found Donerson’s body about 3 p.m. Friday and called authorities, who then found Jason Hudson’s body in the home. But Julian King was missing.
Police issued an Amber Alert for the boy and Jason Hudson’s white Suburban. The FBI was brought in Saturday on the chance the boy might have been taken out of state. Police officers circled back to the home Saturday, searching it again in case the boy was hiding, but to no avail.
The family home in the 7000 block of South Yale Avenue has become an epicenter of grief for Chicagoans who trickled by all weekend to pay tribute. Passing cars on Yale slowed down to look at the growing mound of stuffed animals and cards and flowers in front of the gate. Fans stopped to pray and cry.
“I’m a person who has compassion for human life,” said Donna Hill, 49, crying and wiping tears at the memorial. “I just wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t come to pay my respects.”
Support for Hudson
Jennifer Hudson has received an outpouring of support from fans and friends since news broke Friday of her mother and brother’s deaths, as well as the kidnapping of her 7-year-old nephew over the weekend.
TRIBUNE, REDEYE
“Michelle and I were absolutely heartbroken to learn about this unimaginable tragedy and we want Jennifer to know that she is in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. We also pray for the swift and safe return of her young nephew.”
Sen. Barack Obama
In a statement Saturday. Hudson sang the national anthem at the Democratic National Convention in August.
“I want so badly to reach out to your family in some way and now, remembering your beautiful singing at the Democratic National Convention this year, I have decided to make a donation to Barack Obama’s campaign in memory of your mother and brother.”
Susan
on Hudson’s official Web site
“My heart goes out to her and her family in their time of anguish and grief. … I pray for the safe return of her nephew.”
“Sex and the City” co-star Sarah Jessica Parker
in a statement to “Access Hollywood.”
“Such a huge tragedy — I can’t even believe that it’s possible. … I left a couple of messages for her and I’m just trying to give to her whatever I can. My God. The world is an ugly place right now.”
“American Idol” judge Randy Jackson to people.com
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How the nightmare unfolded
8-9 a.m.
A gunman fires through a door at Jennifer Hudson’s mother’s home in the 7000 block of South Yale Avenue, striking the actress’ brother, Jason Hudson, 29, and her mother, Darnell Donerson, 57. Neighbors said they heard the shots but did not call police.
3 p.m.
A family member walks into the home and discovers Donerson’s body, then immediately leaves and calls police. Sources say Hudson’s sister, Julia, went to police to report her 7-year-old son missing. Police found Hudson’s body in a bedroom.
5:52 p.m.
Chicago police issue an Amber Alert for Julian King, 7. The alert names William Balfour, who family members say was Julia Hudson’s husband, as a suspect in the slayings. Police say Julian may be with Balfour and ask people to call police if they see a white Chevrolet Suburban or a teal/green four-door Chrysler Concord.
6 p.m.
Police arrest William Balfour at his girlfriend’s home on the Southwest Side, but the missing boy is not with him. Police take Balfour to a station to interview him. Authorities continue to search for the boy.
1:30 a.m.
Jennifer Hudson identifies her brother and mother at the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
ALSO Saturday morning
The FBI is called in to help. Police say the teal vehicle has been located but continue to search for the white Suburban.
5 p.m.
Family members of the boy make a public plea for his return.
1:06 a.m.
Jennifer Hudson appealed in her MySpace blog for help in finding Julian.
ALSO Sunday
Balfour (above) was transferred to the Illinois Department of Corrections Sunday for violating his parole after he stopped cooperating with police in the investigation of the killings, authorities and law enforcement officials said.
11 a.m.
Around this time, Chicago police also began distributing “High Risk Missing Child” alerts with a picture of Julian to businesses and residents near Hudson’s family home in the area near 74th and Halsted Streets. Police, the FBI and residents continued to search.
6 p.m.
Jennifer Hudson’s publicist says the actress is offering a $100,000 reward for the safe return of Julian.
Missing: Julian King
The 7-year-old boy is 5 feet tall with a medium complexion and weighs about 135 pounds. He may be wearing a brown polo shirt with stripes and khaki pants. Police issued an Amber Alert for Julian and Jason Hudson’s 1994 white Chevrolet Suburban, Illinois plate X584859. Anyone with information should call Chicago detectives at 312-747-8380.
