Jennifer Hudson offers a $100,000 reward for the safe return of her nephew
HotGossipOctober 27, 2008
Jennifer Hudson and her family have offered a 100,000-dollar reward for the safe return of Jennifer’s 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, who has been missing since the brutal murder of her mother and brother on Oct. 24.
Jennifer has also posted a message on her My Space page. She writes:
“Thank you all for your prayers and your calls. Please keep praying for our family and that we get Julian King back home safely. If anyone has any information about his whereabouts please contact the authorities immediately…”
Regarding what the police are doing right now, Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond has been quoted by AP as saying: “Detectives are working 24 hours on this case. There’s a lot of forensic evidence. We have to work the evidence and try and solve this case. Most importantly, we want to find the child.”
Monday, November 3, 2008
Jennifer Hudson creates foundation for the families of murder victims
Jennifer Hudson creates foundation for the families of murder victims
Cele|bitchyNovember 2, 2008
Jennifer Hudson has done quite the good deed after major tragedy hit her family last week. She’s created a foundation to assist the families of murder victims and named it after her deceased relatives.
Jennifer Hudson’s family announced Thursday a new foundation for families of murder victims. The Hudson-King Foundation for Families of Slain Victims is named in honor of the singer-actress’s slain mother Darnell Hudson Donerson, brother Jason Hudson and nephew Julian King.
“The specific purpose of the Foundation is to care for the needs of families who have lost relatives to a violent crime,” the family says in a statement. “This encompasses their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter as well as grief counseling.”
Donations to the Hudson-King Foundation can be sent:
c/o Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP
Attn: William L. Abrams, Esq.
237 West 35th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10001
The foundation announcement followed a prayer vigil Wednesday night in Chicago.
“Jennifer sang her first song in this church – she said her first prayer in this church,” her cousin Shari Nichols Witt said of the Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church. Witt also spoke fondly of the actress-singer’s slain nephew, saying 7-year-old Julian King “seemed like he was ahead of his time.”
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, who spoke at the vigil, told PEOPLE that Hudson, 27, and her family “are overwhelmed by the suddenness and the unexpectedness of it all. This family knows triumph, and they also know tragedy.”
Most people don’t realize that services like this don’t exist in the vast majority of cities. I had a criminology professor tell a class about cleaning up a crime scene in her mother-in-law’s home. Her brother-in-law was schizophrenic - one of the very rare ones who could be dangerous when he was off his meds. He’d been living with his mother when something triggered him and he stabbed her 20-some times. The mother lived (and the son kept living with her after that), but it was up to the family to figure out how to clean up the crime scene. My professor described it very vividly and really explained how upsetting and deeply emotional the process was. I just remember thinking how out of this world hard that would be on top of everything else.
It sounds like the Hudson-King Foundation may fill in some of the gaps in the legal system that don’t properly take care of victims. What a deeply considerate way for Jennifer to honor her slain family.
Here are mourners gathering at the murder site of Jennifer’s mother and brother on Wednesday. Photographer: C.M. Wiggins. Images thanks to WENN. Header of Jennifer singing at the Democratic Nation Convention on August 28th. Images thanks to Fame.
Jennifer Hudson's Nephew
Jennifer Hudson's Nephew
Celebrity RantOctober 27, 2008
Chicago police just found the white SUV and there was a small boy (dead) in the car.
Authorities are saying it is likely Jennifer Hudson's missing nephew, Julian King.
They found the car 14 miles away from the Crime Scene.
The Cook County medical examiner's office has sent investigators to the scene in the 1300 block of South Kolin, where the boy was found around 8 a.m. today, an office spokesman said.
This is horrible and tragic. I usually don't report on a lot of the current stuff. That's what TMZ and Perez are for. But I had to post this news. It is just unthinkable. Our thoughts are with this family who have (now) lost 3 members all due to violence and stupidity.
Jennifer Hudson suspect should have been in jail the day of murders
Jennifer Hudson suspect should have been in jail the day of murders
The SuperficialOctober 29, 2008
Wiliam Balfour, the prime suspect in the murders of actress/singer Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew, should have been in jail the day of the killings. He was stopped by police with crack in his car back in June which was a violation of his parole from a 1999 conviction for attempted murder and vehicular hijacking. He was instead allowed to go free, according to the AP: On June 19, police pulled over Balfour's car after hearing gunshots in the area, according to the officers' report. They found a rock of cocaine in plain view on the driver's seat, the report stated. It had a street value of about $100.
A parole supervisor declined to issue a warrant to revoke Balfour's parole after the arrest, records show.
However, a felony arrest usually is sufficient reason for corrections officials to revoke parole, said Thomas Peters, a Chicago criminal defense attorney who represents parolees. Even better, when a warrant was issued on Saturday for William's arrest they already had grounds for revoking his parole without even counting his suspected involvement in the murders: The Illinois Department of Corrections issued a warrant for Balfour on Saturday for violating terms of his parole by possessing a weapon and failing to attend anger management counseling and a substance abuse program, according to his parole report. While this is all Monday morning quarterbacking about a piss-poor parole system that goes on in every city, it's still the kind of scary shit that makes you think "Maybe I don't need groceries today" then hide under your bed eating old Saltines. On that note, NOM NOM NOM. Hey, I found the The Geekologie Writer's mom. How long have you been under here? Cracker?
The SuperficialOctober 29, 2008
Wiliam Balfour, the prime suspect in the murders of actress/singer Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew, should have been in jail the day of the killings. He was stopped by police with crack in his car back in June which was a violation of his parole from a 1999 conviction for attempted murder and vehicular hijacking. He was instead allowed to go free, according to the AP: On June 19, police pulled over Balfour's car after hearing gunshots in the area, according to the officers' report. They found a rock of cocaine in plain view on the driver's seat, the report stated. It had a street value of about $100.
A parole supervisor declined to issue a warrant to revoke Balfour's parole after the arrest, records show.
However, a felony arrest usually is sufficient reason for corrections officials to revoke parole, said Thomas Peters, a Chicago criminal defense attorney who represents parolees. Even better, when a warrant was issued on Saturday for William's arrest they already had grounds for revoking his parole without even counting his suspected involvement in the murders: The Illinois Department of Corrections issued a warrant for Balfour on Saturday for violating terms of his parole by possessing a weapon and failing to attend anger management counseling and a substance abuse program, according to his parole report. While this is all Monday morning quarterbacking about a piss-poor parole system that goes on in every city, it's still the kind of scary shit that makes you think "Maybe I don't need groceries today" then hide under your bed eating old Saltines. On that note, NOM NOM NOM. Hey, I found the The Geekologie Writer's mom. How long have you been under here? Cracker?
Jennifer Hudson Offers $100,000 for Nephew's Safe Return
Jennifer Hudson Offers $100,000 for Nephew's Safe Return
FamecrawlerOctober 27, 2008
Jennifer Hudson has offered a $100,000 reward for the safe return of her missing 7-year-old nephew, Julian, who has been gone since Friday. Two days after her mother and brother were fatally shot, Hudson's rep gave a statement. "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."
"We ask that all inquiries be directed to the Chicago Police Department, Area 1 Detective Division at 312-747-8380."
Ross Rice, special agent and spokesman for the Chicago office of the FBI, said, "I can confirm that we have been asked to provide assistance to the Chicago police department to assist in the search for 7-year-old Julian King." When asked if they had any promising leads, Ross said, "The key word there is assisting. It is still a Chicago police investigation, both the murder and the kidnapping, and any announcements would be best to come from them."
We're hoping that some information comes down quickly about Julian. In the meantime, Jennifer posted a recent photo of Julian and what he was last seen wearing on her Myspace page.
Source
Related Posts
Jennifer Hudson's Personal Message: Help Us Find My Nephew
Jennifer Hudson's Family Killed, Possible Kidnapping
Jennifer Hudson Tragedy: Rep Releases Statement
Barack Obama: Jennifer Hudson Is In Our Thoughts
Jennifer Hudson's Family Confirmed Murdered; Nephew Kidnapped
Jennifer Hudson Murders: Police Looking For William Balfour
FamecrawlerOctober 27, 2008
Jennifer Hudson has offered a $100,000 reward for the safe return of her missing 7-year-old nephew, Julian, who has been gone since Friday. Two days after her mother and brother were fatally shot, Hudson's rep gave a statement. "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."
"We ask that all inquiries be directed to the Chicago Police Department, Area 1 Detective Division at 312-747-8380."
Ross Rice, special agent and spokesman for the Chicago office of the FBI, said, "I can confirm that we have been asked to provide assistance to the Chicago police department to assist in the search for 7-year-old Julian King." When asked if they had any promising leads, Ross said, "The key word there is assisting. It is still a Chicago police investigation, both the murder and the kidnapping, and any announcements would be best to come from them."
We're hoping that some information comes down quickly about Julian. In the meantime, Jennifer posted a recent photo of Julian and what he was last seen wearing on her Myspace page.
Source
Related Posts
Jennifer Hudson's Personal Message: Help Us Find My Nephew
Jennifer Hudson's Family Killed, Possible Kidnapping
Jennifer Hudson Tragedy: Rep Releases Statement
Barack Obama: Jennifer Hudson Is In Our Thoughts
Jennifer Hudson's Family Confirmed Murdered; Nephew Kidnapped
Jennifer Hudson Murders: Police Looking For William Balfour
Jennifer Hudson's Nephew Died of Multiple Gunshot Wounds
Julian King, the 7-year-old nephew of Jennifer Hudson, died of multiple gunshot wounds, Chicago's Cook County medical examiner's office said Tuesday.
His death has been ruled a homicide.
Cook County spokesman Sean Howard declined to say where the child suffered wounds or how long he had been dead, citing an ongoing Chicago police investigation, according to The Associated Press.
The announcement follows an autopsy on Julian's body, which was found in the back of an SUV three days after Hudson's mother and brother were shot to death.
Chicago's police chief Jody Weis is confident "we'll have some evidence that will link us to the killer," according to the AP.
While no one has been charged in the slayings, police are eyeing William Balfour - Julia's 27-year-old ex-husband - as a person of interest.
Citing a police source, the Chicago Tribune is reporting that the motive in the killings could be related to ongoing disputes between the suspect and his estranged wife, Julia Hudson, and her family.
One of those disputes was over unpaid car payments, the paper reports.
His death has been ruled a homicide.
Cook County spokesman Sean Howard declined to say where the child suffered wounds or how long he had been dead, citing an ongoing Chicago police investigation, according to The Associated Press.
The announcement follows an autopsy on Julian's body, which was found in the back of an SUV three days after Hudson's mother and brother were shot to death.
Chicago's police chief Jody Weis is confident "we'll have some evidence that will link us to the killer," according to the AP.
While no one has been charged in the slayings, police are eyeing William Balfour - Julia's 27-year-old ex-husband - as a person of interest.
Citing a police source, the Chicago Tribune is reporting that the motive in the killings could be related to ongoing disputes between the suspect and his estranged wife, Julia Hudson, and her family.
One of those disputes was over unpaid car payments, the paper reports.
Private Memorial Service for Jennifer Hudson's Family Set for Monday
Private Memorial Service for Jennifer Hudson's Family Set for Monday
A private memorial service will be held early next week for the mother, brother and nephew of Jennifer Hudson, who were shot to death in Chicago.
The Hudson Funeral Home announced the service will be held at 9 a.m. Monday at the Apostolic Church of God, according to the Chicago Tribune.
On Friday, a rep from the funeral home will announce if the family will hold a public service, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
See Jennifer Hudson's family album.
William Balfour, the ex-husband of Hudson's sister, Julia, is being held as a "person of interest" in the case. Chicago Police say the murders are "domestic-related."
The newest issue of Us Weekly reports that Hudson family members didn't take Balfour's threats seriously.
Jennifer and Julia Hudson have established the Hudson-King foundation For Families of Slain Victims in honor of their family members.
"The specific purpose of the Foundation is to care for the needs of families who have lost relatives to a violent crimes," according to a press release. "This encompasses their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter as well as grief counseling.
Donations to the Hudson-King Foundation:
c/o Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP
Attn: William L. Abrams, Esq.
237 West 35th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10001
A private memorial service will be held early next week for the mother, brother and nephew of Jennifer Hudson, who were shot to death in Chicago.
The Hudson Funeral Home announced the service will be held at 9 a.m. Monday at the Apostolic Church of God, according to the Chicago Tribune.
On Friday, a rep from the funeral home will announce if the family will hold a public service, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
See Jennifer Hudson's family album.
William Balfour, the ex-husband of Hudson's sister, Julia, is being held as a "person of interest" in the case. Chicago Police say the murders are "domestic-related."
The newest issue of Us Weekly reports that Hudson family members didn't take Balfour's threats seriously.
Jennifer and Julia Hudson have established the Hudson-King foundation For Families of Slain Victims in honor of their family members.
"The specific purpose of the Foundation is to care for the needs of families who have lost relatives to a violent crimes," according to a press release. "This encompasses their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter as well as grief counseling.
Donations to the Hudson-King Foundation:
c/o Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP
Attn: William L. Abrams, Esq.
237 West 35th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Should Jennifer Hudson Have Moved Her Family?
Should Jennifer Hudson Have Moved Her Family?
The Hudson family murders have been all over the news since Friday, and much of the web chatter has centered around one question: Should Jennifer Hudson have moved her mom out of such a bad neighborhood?
To date, there have been close to 430 killings in Chicago in 2008 and the city may well exceed 500 murders by year's end, according to Essence. In 1998, Chicago was dubbed the "murder capital of the country" and made international headlines after surpassing New York for the first time ever.
jennifer hudson and mother see more photos
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Jennifer Hudson gallery
Should Jennifer have moved her family out? There seems to be two schools of thought here:
Yes, Jennifer should have moved her mom to a nicer neighborhood. Once you win an Oscar and hit the bigtime, it's your responsibility as a daughter to move your family to somewhere safe and out of the ghetto.
No, Jennifer should not have moved her mom out, especially since it's been reported that her mother didn't want to move away from her church and her friends. You can't force an adult to move anywhere they don't want to go! (Plus, this was a domestic violence case, anyway, and therefore could have happened anywhere.)
The Hudson family murders have been all over the news since Friday, and much of the web chatter has centered around one question: Should Jennifer Hudson have moved her mom out of such a bad neighborhood?
To date, there have been close to 430 killings in Chicago in 2008 and the city may well exceed 500 murders by year's end, according to Essence. In 1998, Chicago was dubbed the "murder capital of the country" and made international headlines after surpassing New York for the first time ever.
jennifer hudson and mother see more photos
Getty Images
Click to see the
Jennifer Hudson gallery
Should Jennifer have moved her family out? There seems to be two schools of thought here:
Yes, Jennifer should have moved her mom to a nicer neighborhood. Once you win an Oscar and hit the bigtime, it's your responsibility as a daughter to move your family to somewhere safe and out of the ghetto.
No, Jennifer should not have moved her mom out, especially since it's been reported that her mother didn't want to move away from her church and her friends. You can't force an adult to move anywhere they don't want to go! (Plus, this was a domestic violence case, anyway, and therefore could have happened anywhere.)
Rosie O'Donnell Blogs About Jennifer Hudson's "Family Tragedy"
Rosie O'Donnell Blogs About Jennifer Hudson's "Family Tragedy"
Rosie O'Donnell has blogged about the tragic murders of Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.
"The family tragedy of Jennifer Hudson -- no words will do -- a grief 2 hard 2 comprehend," she writes on her Web site.
"Guns and domestic violence are a lethal combination -- injuring and killing women every day in the United States," she continues. "A gun is the weapon most commonly used in domestic homicides.
"In fact, more than three times as many women are murdered by guns used by their husbands or intimate acquaintances than are killed by strangers' guns, knives or other weapons combined," she goes on. "Contrary to many public perceptions, many women who are murdered are killed not by strangers but by men they know."
Jennifer Hudson's Family Didn't Take Balfour's Threats Seriously
Jennifer Hudson's Family Didn't Take Balfour's Threats Seriously
A friend of Jennifer Hudson says he tried to warn the family about William "Flex" Balfour, who is currently considered a "person of interest" in the shooting deaths of Hudson's mom, Darnell; brother, Jason and 7-year-old nephew, Julian.
Balfour, 27 - who is divorced from Hudson's sister, Julia, a bus driver - got into a huge fight with Julia, Darnell and Jason about a month ago, a neighbor says in the newest issue of Us Weekly. James Peyton, Hudson's ex-fiance, was also present.
See Jennifer Hudson's family album.
"Flex tried to start a fistfight with Jason, and James beat up Flex," the neighbor adds.
Shortly after, Flex began to threaten the family, saying "he would kill Julia and mess up everyone in the house," the source tells Us.
The supposed reason of the feud? TMZ.com reports Balfour clashed with the family after Julia claimed he sold one of their cars without permission.
"Flex was crazy, but Jason never took him seriously," the source tells Us. "Jason always thought he would be safe, that he could protect himself."
The estranged couple had screaming matches, and had "been having problems, but I never expected anything like this," neighbor Angela Russell admits to Us.
(Flex's mother, Michele Davis Balfour, insists her son "had nothing to do with this.")
Balfour is currently being held on violation of parole stemming from an attempted murder conviction in 1999. The AP reports that he was arrested on June 19 for allegedly having a rock of crack cocaine in his car - but his parole was not revoked then.
Meanwhile, Hudson is determined to hold her family together as she grieves for her mother, brother and nephew - whom she was especially close to.
"Jennifer was like [Julian's] second mom," Ernest Moore, a neighbor who is related by marriage, tells Us. "Whenever she was around, she spent a lot of time with the boy."
For more on Hudson's heartbreak, and how the family will move forward, pick up the newest issue of Us Weekly, on stands now.
Mourners Remember Jennifer Hudson's Family
On Sunday night, friends and family paid their respects to Jennifer Hudson's slain mother, Darnell Donerson, brother Jason Hudson and nephew Julian Hudson in a public memorial service at the Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church near their Chicago home.
Flanked by three of her students, Carmen Williams, Julian's second grade teacher, spoke poignantly about the bubbly 7-year-old, and read a few comments from students' journals.
"I'm sad he didn't get to be President," one child lamented, while others remembered a generous and funny boy who loved to tell knock-knock jokes and play Power Rangers.
"Julian was a role model, an academic whiz and a best friend," Williams added. "You could look into his eyes and you knew he always had the right answer."
Shari Sweat, a cousin, focused on Darnell, remembering a woman who was proud of her academic background and loved the song, "From Out of Nowhere, Jesus Found Me."
"She was gentle, special and loving," Sweat said.
Another relative, Rev. Quentin Washington, recalled Jason as a caring, churchgoing man who encouraged him to pursue his career as a minister.
"They are all in Heaven having a 'hallelujah good time,' " he said. "Their lives ... were not in vain. Their legacies live on."
Police discovered the bodies of Hudson's mother, 57, and brother, 29, on Oct. 24, and her nephew's three days later. Though no one has been charged, police have classified Jennifer's brother-in-law, William Balfour, as "a person of interest."
Meanwhile, Jennifer and her sister, Julian's mother Julia Hudson, have established the Hudson King Foundation for Families of Slain Victims in honor of their loved ones.
"The specific purpose of the Foundation is to care for the needs of families who have lost relatives to a violent crime," according to Jennifer's MySpace page."Thank you for your continued support."
JENNIFER HUDSON DEVASTATED AFTER BODY IS FOUND
JENNIFER HUDSON DEVASTATED AFTER BODY IS FOUND
Soulfull VibesOctober 28, 2008
SOURCE:(WENN) LATEST: JENNIFER HUDSON is "distraught" after police investigating the disappearance of her nephew found the body of a child.
Seven-year-old Julian King went missing on Friday (24Oct08) following the murder of Hudson’s mother Darnell Donerson and her brother Jason Hudson at their home in Chicago, Illinois.
The child, son of Hudson’s sister Julia, was staying with his grandmother when the shooting took place, and he has not been seen since.
The Dreamgirls star offered a $100,000 (£64,100) cash reward for the youngster’s safe return and authorities issued an Amber Alert in the search for the missing boy, launching a statewide campaign to find him.
But now the body of an African-American child has been discovered inside a 1994 white Chevy Suburban car in Chicago - believed to be owned by Jason Hudson - leading to fears that Julian King may already be dead.
Hudson’s personal assistant, identified only as Jay, called Fox News shortly after the discovery was announced, insisting that the singer/actress is devastated by the possibility that her young nephew may have perished, saying: "She is so distraught she cannot talk." The car was found on Monday (27Oct08) and has now been removed from the scene in Chicago by authorities. The body had not been identified as WENN went to press.
The vehicle is said to have been reported missing on Friday (24Oct08) and neighbours in the area where it was found reportedly told police it had been parked there since Saturday.
The gruesome find was just a few miles from where Julia’s estranged husband, William Balfour, was arrested by police, according to TMZ.com. He is currently being quizzed by cops over the slayings, and authorities have described him as "a person of interest"
Jennifer Hudson establishes foundation for families of slain victims
Jennifer Hudson establishes foundation for families of slain victims
From the singer-actress' publicist:
In the wake of the tragic deaths of Darnell Hudson Donerson, Jason Hudson and Julian King, Julia and Jennifer Hudson have established the Hudson-King Foundation For Families of Slain Victims in honor of their family members. The specific purpose of the foundation is to care for the needs of families who have lost relatives to a violent crime. This encompasses their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter as well as grief counseling.
Donations to the Hudson-King Foundation:
c/o Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP
Attn: William L. Abrams, Esq.
237 West 35th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10001
*Contrary to earlier erroneous reports, the Hudson-King Foundation for Families of Slain Victims is the only one established by Julia and Jennifer Hudson.
Inside Jennifer Hudson's Bond with Her Mom
Throughout her life, Jennifer Hudson leaned on one person more than any other: her mom.
"They were very close, very tight," says Richard Lyons, Hudson's acting coach for her 2006 Oscar-winning role in Dreamgirls. "Her mom came down to the set and she was just the sweetest person. She was so humble."
Now Hudson, 27, is mourning the death of her mother, Darnell Donerson, who was murdered on Oct. 24. Hudson's brother Jason was also fatally shot in the crime, which took place in Donerson's home on the South Side of Chicago. Three days later the body of the singer's 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, was found in an abandoned SUV miles from Donerson's house.
The crimes have stunned those in the community, who recall the soft-spoken Donerson as a positive presence. "She would do anything for anyone," says one neighbor. "She hosted a block party for our whole neighborhood a few months back."
Although her famous daughter encouraged her mom to leave their often-dangerous Englewood neighborhood, Donerson resisted.
"She didn't need to move," says Lyons. "She didn't need a bigger house. She didn't need anyone to buy her a new car. She didn't desire or want those things. She was just supportive and stood by her daughter."
Adds Lyons: "When you see something like that in a mom, which I think is rare in this business, that's what makes it so hard for me to grasp the situation. I saw a woman who wasn't trying to benefit from her daughter's success at all. Her mom was just supportive. This really, really hurts."
Jennifer Hudson Fears for Life, Hires Security, Goes Into Hiding
Jennifer Hudson Fears for Life, Hires Security, Goes Into Hiding
Jennifer Hudson feels that her life is threatened. She is no longer living at home, but at a hotel instead with multiple security guards.
Actress/singer Jennifer Hudson may be worried about her own safety. Chilling new details on how Hudson in hiding and surrounding herself with security guards.
“I can’t disclose where Jennifer is staying — I can just tell you it’s a hotel. She has bodyguards… and the hotel she’s staying at has a great security team.”According to recent reports, it's believed that William had an accomplice at least drive him to his girlfriend's house after the murders. Jennifer is probably fearful of not just William's alleged accomplice, but anyone connected to that a-hole. I want the police to find the killers and get this whole mess wrapped up immediately. It's pissing me off. I blame Jennifer's sister Julia. There, I said it. That bitch is an irresponsible sister from hell!
Jennifer Hudson Announces Foundation for Murder Victim Families
Jennifer Hudson Announces Foundation for Murder Victim Families
Jennifer Hudson's family announced Thursday a new foundation for families of murder victims.
The Hudson-King Foundation for Families of Slain Victims is named in honor of the singer-actress's slain mother Darnell Hudson Donerson, brother Jason Hudson and nephew Julian King.
"The specific purpose of the Foundation is to care for the needs of families who have lost relatives to a violent crime," the family says in a statement. "This encompasses their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter as well as grief counseling."
Donations to the Hudson-King Foundation can be sent:
c/o Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP
Attn: William L. Abrams, Esq.
237 West 35th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10001
The foundation announcement followed a prayer vigil Wednesday night in Chicago.
"Jennifer sang her first song in this church – she said her first prayer in this church," her cousin Shari Nichols Witt said of the Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church. Witt also spoke fondly of the actress-singer's slain nephew, saying 7-year-old Julian King "seemed like he was ahead of his time."
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, who spoke at the vigil, told PEOPLE that Hudson, 27, and her family "are overwhelmed by the suddenness and the unexpectedness of it all. This family knows triumph, and they also know tragedy."
As the community grieved the loss of the Dreamgirls star's relatives, the 27-year-old parolee considered a suspect in their shooting deaths, William Balfour, remained in police custody Thursday.
Balfour – the estranged husband of Hudson's sister Julia – was being held on an alleged parole violation.
Jennifer Hudson's family announced Thursday a new foundation for families of murder victims.
The Hudson-King Foundation for Families of Slain Victims is named in honor of the singer-actress's slain mother Darnell Hudson Donerson, brother Jason Hudson and nephew Julian King.
"The specific purpose of the Foundation is to care for the needs of families who have lost relatives to a violent crime," the family says in a statement. "This encompasses their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter as well as grief counseling."
Donations to the Hudson-King Foundation can be sent:
c/o Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP
Attn: William L. Abrams, Esq.
237 West 35th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10001
The foundation announcement followed a prayer vigil Wednesday night in Chicago.
"Jennifer sang her first song in this church – she said her first prayer in this church," her cousin Shari Nichols Witt said of the Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church. Witt also spoke fondly of the actress-singer's slain nephew, saying 7-year-old Julian King "seemed like he was ahead of his time."
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, who spoke at the vigil, told PEOPLE that Hudson, 27, and her family "are overwhelmed by the suddenness and the unexpectedness of it all. This family knows triumph, and they also know tragedy."
As the community grieved the loss of the Dreamgirls star's relatives, the 27-year-old parolee considered a suspect in their shooting deaths, William Balfour, remained in police custody Thursday.
Balfour – the estranged husband of Hudson's sister Julia – was being held on an alleged parole violation.
Ryan Seacrest on Jennifer Hudson: 'She's a Strong Girl'
Ryan Seacrest on Jennifer Hudson: 'She's a Strong Girl'
After losing her mother, brother, and nephew last weekend, Jennifer Hudson is receiving support from an old friend – Ryan Seacrest.
"We're praying for her," the American Idol host told PEOPLE at the LA Confidential party celebrating the magazine's cover story on Seacrest Wednesday night. "I sent her an email to share my sorrow for what she went through and asked her if there was anything we could do," says Seacrest, who watched Hudson's journey from Idol finalist to Oscar-winning success. "It's horrible."
He's not the only one from the Idol family who is feeling for Jennifer after her tragic loss.
"I talked to [Idol judge] Randy [Jackson] the other day about it," says Seacrest. "We're just thinking about her."
Seacrest says he didn't know Hudson's family well, but is confident she will pull through.
"I know Jennifer and I always liked her spirit, her strength, her charm, her charisma. She's a strong girl and a special girl."
After losing her mother, brother, and nephew last weekend, Jennifer Hudson is receiving support from an old friend – Ryan Seacrest.
"We're praying for her," the American Idol host told PEOPLE at the LA Confidential party celebrating the magazine's cover story on Seacrest Wednesday night. "I sent her an email to share my sorrow for what she went through and asked her if there was anything we could do," says Seacrest, who watched Hudson's journey from Idol finalist to Oscar-winning success. "It's horrible."
He's not the only one from the Idol family who is feeling for Jennifer after her tragic loss.
"I talked to [Idol judge] Randy [Jackson] the other day about it," says Seacrest. "We're just thinking about her."
Seacrest says he didn't know Hudson's family well, but is confident she will pull through.
"I know Jennifer and I always liked her spirit, her strength, her charm, her charisma. She's a strong girl and a special girl."
Jennifer Hudson is emerging as a source of inspiration
Jennifer Hudson is emerging as a source of inspiration for grieving families worldwide, but this plus-sized diva has been a living example of full-figured beauty in the entertainment industry ever since her bout on ‘American Idol.’
The entertainment industry is notorious for selecting pin-thin models, actors and spokespeople, thereby promoting unhealthy body standards. Jennifer Hudson is one of the shining exceptions to this unfair rule, as she entered the industry based on her talents first and her looks second.
The following articles each celebrate bigger body shapes in different ways. There’s full-figured individuals filling roles traditionally reserved for flawless bodies, like Jennifer Hudson as an American Idol and the Florida Marlins’ Manatees.
There are also moments where the entertainment industry has reversed its traditional preference for super-skinny women in favor of more realistic body shapes, like Angelina Jolie’s bigger body double and the ‘Transformer’ producers’ request of Megan Fox to gain weight. While Jordin Sparks became the first plus-sized female American Idol, Jennifer Hudson could easily have filled that role as well.
The entertainment industry is notorious for selecting pin-thin models, actors and spokespeople, thereby promoting unhealthy body standards. Jennifer Hudson is one of the shining exceptions to this unfair rule, as she entered the industry based on her talents first and her looks second.
The following articles each celebrate bigger body shapes in different ways. There’s full-figured individuals filling roles traditionally reserved for flawless bodies, like Jennifer Hudson as an American Idol and the Florida Marlins’ Manatees.
There are also moments where the entertainment industry has reversed its traditional preference for super-skinny women in favor of more realistic body shapes, like Angelina Jolie’s bigger body double and the ‘Transformer’ producers’ request of Megan Fox to gain weight. While Jordin Sparks became the first plus-sized female American Idol, Jennifer Hudson could easily have filled that role as well.
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