Jennifer Hudson offered a $100,000 reward for the safe return of her missing nephew, but police found the boy in a white 4×4 today.
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Seven-year-old Julian King was missing from the scene where the bodies of the Dreamgirls star’s mother Darnell Donerson, 57, and brother Jason Hudson, 29, were found in Chicago and the actress-and-singer had appealed for help in locating his whereabouts.
Her publicist Lisa Kasteler issued a statement saying: “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 and continue the search for Julian.
Jennifer also posted a message on her MySpace page yesterday (26.10.08) – the day after her sister Julia, Julian’s mother, made an appeal at a press conference – to thank fans for their support.
Alongside a picture of the youngster, she wrote: “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. Here is a picture of Julian and what he was last seen wearing. Once again thank you all for being there for us through this tough time.”
Meanwhile, US presidential candidate Barrack Obama – a senator for Illinois, the home state of Chicago – has offered his support to Jennifer and her family.
He said: “My wife Michelle and I were absolutely heartbroken to learn about this unimaginable tragedy and we want Jennifer to know that she is in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. We also pray for the swift and safe return of her young nephew.”
Jennifer’s brother-in-law William Balfour – Julia’s estranged husband – is currently in custody being questioned about the double-murder and the boy’s disappearance.
At the time of writing, police had confirmed 27-year-old William, who served seven years in prison for attempted murder and carjacking in 1999, is a suspect for the killings but is yet to be charged.
He was arrested just a few hours after the bodies were found.
Police have revealed they are talking to several other people in connection to the incident.
The suspect’s mother, Michele Davis Balfour, defended her son yesterday, saying she did not believe he was involved in the killings.
