So far, no one has been charged in the killings of Jennifer Hudson‘s mother Darnell, brother Jason, and nephew Julian. The bodies of Darnell and Jason were found Friday in her house while Julian’s body was not located until Monday in the back of a white SUV. His death was ruled a homicide as he was shot multiple times.
Police do have William Balfour, the estranged husband of Hudson’s sister Julia, in custody as a “person of interest.” Balfour is out of prison on parole, after serving 7 years for attempted murder, vehicular hijacking, and possession of a stolen car.
Sources close to Hudson are saying that Balfour and Julia married in November 2006, but had been separated for about a year. Balfour was ordered by Darnell to move out of the family home last winter. A neighbor, Bernice Russell, said there was tension between Balfour and the Hudson family and that she had heard another neighbor say Balfour threaten to kidnap Julian before.
If Balfour did do it, there is speculation now as to whether this might have been avoided. On June 19th, Balfour was pulled over by the police. On driver’s sear of his car, the police found a rock of cocaine (with an estimated street value of $100). However, despite the fact that this seemed to be a violation of Balfour’s parole, he was not arrested. His parole supervisor wrote on the report “Per supervisor…no warrant.” A Corrections Department spokesman said that the evidence didn’t necessarily call for a violation and the judge eventually dismissed the charge on lack of probable cause.
Balfour was arrested last Saturday for violating his parole. Police found him in possession of a weapon. He also failed to attend anger management counseling and a substance abuse program. Fortunately, this is giving police more time to question him as to his whereabouts on the day of the murders.
It is believed that Balfour was living with a girlfriend who is pregnant with his child. On the day of the murders, Balfour told his parole officer that he was babysitting, but the Chicago Tribune is reporting that Balfour’s girlfriend gave a conflicting abibi for his whereabouts that day.