Hudson's brother and mum shot dead

4:12am Sunday 26th October 2008

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The mother and brother of Jennifer Hudson have been found shot dead at a South Side home, and police are looking for a missing child who is the nephew of the singer and Oscar-winning actress.

"We can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation concerning the deaths of Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, and her brother, Jason Hudson," Hudson's personal publicist, Lisa Kasteler, said in a statement.

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

Police spokeswoman Monique Bond said the deaths appeared to be the result of domestic abuse.

The Cook County medical examiner's office said post-mortems for Ms Donerson, 57, and Jason Hudson, 29, were pending.

Police were talking to "a number of people in custody", said Ms Bond, who declined to elaborate.

Deputy Chief Joseph Patterson said a family member entered the home around 3pm, found a woman shot on the living room floor and left to notify authorities.

Responding officers found a man shot in the bedroom, Mr Patterson said. There was no sign of forced entry.

Police tape blocked access to the large, white house, where a crowd gathered outside.

Authorities issued a missing child alert for seven-year-old Julian King. The child was the grandson of the female victim, Mr Patterson said.