BREAKING NEWS

Jennifer Hudson’s mother, brother found dead

WMAQ reportedly confirmed the victims’ identities through family member

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CHICAGO – Two people found murdered in a home owned by Jennifer Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donnerson, are believed to be the Oscar-winning actress’ mother and brother, according to WMAQ in Chicago.

Two adults were found reportedly shot to death inside the home on the south side of Chicago on Friday afternoon.

When contacted by Access Hollywood, a spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department confirmed “two people were found unresponsive in the home.”

“There was a male subject found in the bedroom with a fatal gunshot wound,” Chicago police said at a press conference late Friday. “The crime lab personnel are still on the scene gathering evidence. We have some promising leads right now, but it’s very preliminary.”

Although police would not confirm the identities of the victims, police said the shooting involved one male and one female victim “believed to be related to Hudson.”

In addition, as first reported by The Chicago Tribune, police confirmed to Access they have also issued an Amber Alert for a 7-year-old boy, named Julian King, who is believed to be Hudson’s nephew.

Police also confirmed to Access they have declared a man named William Balfour as “a suspect in the double homicide,” which The Chicago Tribune also first reported. Balfour is considered to be “armed and dangerous,” police told Access.

Police are looking for a 1994 white Suburban, which they believe may contain Balfour and the boy. According to the Chicago Tribune, the vehicle is registered to Jason Hudson, Jennifer’s brother.

Access has confirmed Balfour resided at Darnell Donnerson’s home in 2007.

During the press conference late Friday, police said neighbors reported “hearing gunshots” sometime around 8 a.m. Police told Access the victims were discovered around 3 p.m. local time and Access has verified the address of the home where the victims were found belongs to Hudson’s mother.

Hudson, the former American Idol alum and Academy Award winner for her role in Dreamgirls, was in Florida at the time of the incident, according to WABC-TV in New York. She is now reportedly en route to Chicago.

In her self-titled debut album, released in September, Hudson included a message of love to her family, including her mother.

“Next, of course, is u my mommy DARNELL AKA DOLL…,” Hudson wrote in the liner notes of the album after thanking God. “Thank u for instilling in me that I could do anything I put my mind to and teaching me to always put God first. Thank you for loving me no matter what.”

After sending the message of thanks to her mother, Jennifer also including loving words for her siblings and her nephew.

“To the original JHUD’s, my big bro and sis JASON and JULIA, I love you so much. Thank you both for rooting me on and supporting me like nobody else. Also for believing in me and never letting me settle for just ok but the best. Because of u, I don’t believe in limits. LIL’ JULIAN KING my lil’ nephew, I love u, baby.”

A call placed to Jennifer Hudson’s rep by Access Hollywood was not immediately returned.

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“Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom” opens in theaters today…

By Greg Hernandez 

October 24, 2008

It’s here! The first feature film from Logo begins rolling out in theaters today. It’s such a good movie with wonderful performances, lots of laughs, some tears and a lot of growth for the main characters who viewers got to know through two seasons of “Noah’s Arc” on Logo and on DVD.

I attended the film’s premiere in Hollywood last night have to say, I enjoyed the movie even more this time around. Seeing it with an audience enhanced the experience for sure, especially when that audience included the entire cast and the creator-director Patrik-Ian Polk. It works beautifully on the big screen and the cast – well, they are more than beautiful to look at. They know these characters inside and out and the chemistry among the group is a rare and wonderful thing.

The cast was justifiably proud and excited by the occasion at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre complex (followed by a big party at Highlands). As someone who was in the audience at Outfest about five years ago when the pilot was first screened, I was excited to see how this amazing journey for them has culminated in a wonderful feature film.

Later today and throughout the next several days, I will be sharing with you interviews I did with the movie’s stars Darryl Stephens, Jensen Atwood, Rodney Chester, Douglas Spearman and Christian Vincent as well as the great Tonya Pinkins who play’s Jensen’s mother in the movie.

Stay tuned!

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Houdini’s Hollywood Star Repaired

The square honoring Houdini was damaged the night of Halloween 2000, exactly 25 years after the famous magician’s star was first unveiled.

The newly restored marker was unveiled this afternoon courtesy of the Academy of Magical Arts in association with The Magic Castle.

Expected to attend the re-dedication were actor Neil Patrick Harris, illusionists Penn & Teller and Siegfried Fischbacher, actresses JoAnne Worley and Tippi Hedren and Magic Castle co-founder Milt Larsen.

Among those who contributed to the restoration are top magicians such as David Copperfield, Penn & Teller, Lance Burton, Tihany, Marvyn Roy (Mr. Electric,) and Siegfried and Roy.

The Magic Castle, a popular magic club, said it will hold a reception after the unveiling.

Houdini died on Halloween 1926 at age 52.

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