Sunday, 26 October 2008

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American Idol star Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother shot dead - nephew missing

Bodies found at Chicago home

Jennifer Hudson grew up in Chicago

The mother and brother of Jennifer Hudson have been killed.

Shots were heard in the vicinity of a house owned by the family in Chicago on Friday and 2 bodies - a man and a woman - were discovered by Jennifer's sister Julia when she arrived home from work.

The deceased have been identified as Darnell, 57, and son Jason, 29.

'We can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation concerning the deaths of Jennifer Hudson's mother Darnell Donerson and her brother Jason Hudson,' rep Lisa Kasteler tells People.

'No further comment will be made and the family has asked that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.'

The house in the suburb of Englewood has been cordoned off and people from all over Chicago are stopping by to drop off cards, stuffed animals and flowers, reports myfoxchicago.com.

'We are handling a double-homicide,' Chicago police spokesman Officer John Mirabelli confirms. 'Those [two] victims sustained fatal gunshot wounds.'

A 27-year-old man has been taken into custody and is being questioned by authorities, reports the Associated Press.

Police are searching for Julia Hudson's 7-year-old son Julian King, who is missing, and yesterday his mum made a public plea for the little boy's safe return.

Jennifer, 27, starred in Sex And The City: The Movie as Carrie's Bradshaw's personal assistant and won an Oscar for her role in Dreamgirls.

Her latest film, The Secret Life of Bees, is currently on release and new song Spotlight is No 1 in the Billboard R&B charts.