AP

Published on Monday, October 27, 2008
FBI says body found is that of Hudson's nephew, 7


By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Last updated on 00/00/0000 at 12:00 a.m.

Police searching for Jennifer Hudson's missing 7-year-old nephew found the body of a young boy Monday in the same SUV sought in the manhunt for the boy.

Authorities didn't identify the body, that of a young black boy, found in the rear seat of the the SUV and an autopsy was planned for Tuesday.

Illinois State Police said an Amber Alert for the missing boy, Julian King, was canceled Monday because the SUV had been located. And police Cmdr. Wayne Gulliford said the license plate listed in the alert matched the plate on the SUV found Monday.

The alert was issued Friday after the mother and brother of the Oscar-winning actress and singer were found shot to death at home Friday. Julian, who lives in the home, hadn't been seen since.

In Washington, FBI Deputy Director John S. Pistole said at a news conference that authorities found a body "who we believe to be the missing victim in Chicago, the nephew of Jennifer Hudson. We are working with Chicago police to get a positive identification of the victim."

Hudson, 27, offered $100,000 Sunday for information leading to his safe return. Julian is the son of Jennifer Hudson's sister, Julia Hudson.

Telephone and e-mail messages left Monday for Hudson's publicist were not unreturned.

The alert listed William Balfour, the estranged husband of Julia Hudson, as a suspect in a "double homicide investigation." He is not the boy's father and has not been charged in the slayings.

Police said they did not have a motive for the killings but called the case "domestic related."

Balfour, 27, was taken into custody Friday by Chicago police for questioning in the killings. On Sunday, he was transferred to the Illinois Department of Corrections "based on his active parole violation unrelated to this investigation."

Records from the Corrections Department show Balfour is on parole and spent nearly seven years in prison for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking and possessing a stolen vehicle.

Corrections spokeswoman Januari Smith said Balfour would probably remain in state custody until the Illinois Prisoner Review Board looked at his case. She would not say where Balfour was being held.

It was unclear whether Balfour had an attorney Sunday, but his mother, Michele Balfour, has denied he was involved the killings or in Julian's disappearance.

Hudson, who won an Academy Award in 2007 for her role in "Dreamgirls," was in Chicago during the weekend. The medical examiner's office confirmed Hudson, 27, identified the bodies of her mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and 29-year-old brother, Jason Hudson. The deaths were ruled homicides.

Hudson appealed to the public for help, offering the reward and asking any information be given to Chicago police.

"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," said a statement from her publicist.

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