Two years after she played Effie in her breakout role for "Dreamgirls," two of the actor's family members were shot and killed. In October of 2008, Hudson's mother, Darnell Donnerson, and her brother, Jason Hudson, were killed in Donnerson's Chicago home. Hudson's seven-year-old nephew, Julian King, had also been reported missing.
Three days later, her nephew was heartbreakingly found dead, a result of multiple gunshot wounds. Weeks after the slayings, the Chicago Police Department's investigations led them to the killer. Estranged husband to Hudson's sister Julia, William Balfour was responsible for the murders and kidnapping. After taking King from his room in Donnerson's home, Balfour stole Jason's car and shot his stepson several times.
Angered by Julia's petition for divorce, Balfour reportedly threatened her when she moved out of the family home. The then 27-year-old maintained his innocence, but the evidence was damning, with the court giving him three life sentences and 120 years without the possibility for parole.
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