Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson's family found dead
Saturday, 25 Oct 2008 19:38
Hudson won an Oscar for her role in 2006 film Dreamgirls
Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother have been found dead at the Oscar-winning actress' family home in Chicago, while her seven-year-old nephew is also missing.
Deputy police chief Joseph Patterson said the body of Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, was found on the living room floor while her brother, Jason Hudson, was found dead in a bedroom in the house.
Both bodies had fatal gunshot wounds and there were no signs of forced entry into the house, investigators added.
Police authorities told local newspaper the Chicago Tribune that they had taken "a number of people in custody" as part of the investigation. Hudson's house was been cordoned off and the newspaper reports that a number of people had been taken into custody.
An alert has also been issued for the Chicago singer's nephew Julian King who cannot be found.
Jennifer Hudson's personal publicist Lisa Kasteler has also issued a statement confirmed the deaths.
She said: "We can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation concerning the deaths of Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, and her brother, Jason Hudson. No further comment will be made and the family has asked that their privacy be respected at this difficult time."
Jennifer Hudson career was launched after her appearance as a contestant on American Idol in 2005.
She then won an Oscar for her performance in Dreamgirls and was also seen in hit film Sex and the City.