Jennifer Hudson says family murders are a ‘blur’
By Alexandra Heilbron on June 29, 2010 | 2 Comments
Jennifer Hudson says the murders of her mother, brother and nephew in 2008 felt “surreal.” The actress-and-singer was left devastated when her mom, Darnell Donerson, and 29-year-old sibling Jason Hudson were found dead inside the family home in Chicago in October 2008. The body of Julian King, Jennifer’s seven-year-old nephew, was discovered several days later in a car. All three victims died from multiple gunshot wounds. William Balfour, the estranged husband of Jennifer’s sister Julia, was charged with the murders. Jennifer spoke about the tragedy for a special episode of VH1’s Behind the Music, which aired last night. The Oscar-winning star says she became a recluse in the weeks following the killings and found comfort in praying. “It’s all a blur, it was surreal,” Jennifer explained. “It was like I was outside of myself. For almost two weeks straight… [I was] inside one room with just family and friends coming in and out. I prayed when I’d get up in the morning and prayed before I lay down at night.” Jennifer is slowly getting her life back on track and says her fiancé David Otunga and their 11-month-old son David Jr. have helped her cope with her grief. The 28-year-old has revealed her son reminds her of her late nephew and also of the close bond she shared with her mother. “In so many ways I channel her because she was such a great mom,” she added. “My son makes me feel like the most special person on earth. I want him to get the same love and the same upbringing my mother gave us.”
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Jennifer Hudson, 34, was left devastated in 2008 when her mom Darnell Donaldson, brother Jason and seven-year-old nephew Julian King were murdered by her sister’s estranged husband William B…
this is still a heart breaking story. the fact that people out there can be so cold and cruel to another human being is absolutely disgusting. im glad to see she is trying to move on with her life, i cant imagine how excruciatingly difficult that must be.
I absolutely feel devastated for Jennifer. That is truly horrific what happened to her family. To have it happen not just to one of her family members but to more than one and at the same time… I could imagine how this would feel surreal. Be strong, Jennifer. And have faith that your loved ones are looking out for you from above.