Droves of area residents, mourners and fans crowded the 7000 block of South Yale Avenue the moment they heard that Jennifer Hudson’s mother and brother were killed, and that her nephew was missing. Well-wishers brought balloons, flowers and stuffed
Droves of area residents, mourners and fans crowded the 7000 block of South Yale Avenue the moment they heard that Jennifer Hudson’s mother and brother were killed, and that her nephew was missing.
Well-wishers brought balloons, flowers and stuffed animals to the home to serve as a memorial to the victims. Others came by to pray and catch a glimpse of where the tragedy occurred.
Hudson’s mother, Darnell Donerson, and brother, Jason Hudson, were found Friday by her sister, Julia Hudson, inside the family’s home. Both were fatally shot. Alderwoman Freddrenna Lyle, whose 6th Ward includes the Hudson family’s home, said the weekend murders are a black eye for the Englewood community.
“I admit it looks bad and these murders do not help us at all. But Englewood is like any other community. It has its problems, but in time, things will get better,” said Lyle.
Lyle left a City Council committee meeting Friday to go to the Hudson’s home once she heard the news about the then-double homicide.
Area resident Donna Hill was among hundreds who stopped on Yale Avenue throughout the weekend to offer their support and participate in candlelight vigils for the Hudson family.
“I just had to come out here before I went to church. I’ve been a fan of Jennifer’s ever since her American Idol days. When I heard the news, it felt like it happened to me. This is just too much to bear. I can’t take it, so I just know that she can’t,” said Hill.
Others who kept a visible presence near the home include community activist Andrew Holmes who led searches throughout the neighborhood for Julian King, Hudson’s 7-year-old nephew.
“We searched along the Metra rail line about a block away from the home and in several abandoned buildings,” said Holmes.
Joining Holmes in the search were several teens who often saw the boy with his uncle after school hours.
“When I got out of school, I would sometimes see Julian on the porch. The best thing I could do was to help look for him. It’s a shame what happened to him,” said 14-year-old Dustin Lee, an eighth grader at Yale Elementary School who combed through brush along the train tracks.
The Obama family also sent their condolences to the Hudson family.
U.S. Sen. and democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, “Michelle and I are absolutely heartbroken to hear about this unimaginable tragedy.”
Obama requested that Jennifer sing the national anthem for the opening of the Democratic National Convention where the senator was officially selected as the party’s candidate.
Other Chicagoans expressed their sympathy for the Hudson family.
“I am saddened to learn about the senseless murders of Ms. Donerson, Julian King and Jason Hudson, mother, nephew and brother to Chicago star Jennifer Hudson. We share her pain. Jennifer has become a daughter to us all. Our condolences go out to the entire Hudson family. They will be missed by friends, family and admirers around the world. We are praying and grieving for all those who have felt this loss,” said the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-1st) said his office is available to the Hudson family for whatever support they require.
“My outrage at the level of depravity displayed by the gun-wielding assailant in the deaths, last Friday, of the Hudson sisters’ mother, Darnell Donerson, and brother, Jason Hudson, is only eclipsed…by my grief at the news…that our hopes for the safe return of Julia Hudson’s 7-year-old son, Julian King, were not to be realized. I mourn…because three people in the Englewood community died a senseless death apparently at the barrel of a gun. I mourn because Darnell, Jason and Julian are members of my community,” Rush said in a statement.
Services for the Hudson family are pending.
A fund has been established in the memories of Jennifer Hudson’s mother, brother and nephew.
Contributions can be sent to: The Hudson-King Domestic Violence Prevention Fund c/o Seaway Bank and Trust Co. P.O. Box 19522 Chicago, IL 60619.
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