CELEBRITY STYLE SPY: See all the latest celeb photos

Gift triggered Jennifer Hudson murders

By Lucy Hutchings on Monday 15 December 2008

Print
Share
Comment

Jennifer Hudson and nephew Julian King, - 2008 in pictures, celebrity photos, Marie Claire

Police believe they may have discovered the motive behind the murders of Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother and nephew.

The actress's sister, Julia, celebrated her 31st birthday on 23 October. Her estranged husband William Balfour visited her the next morning, and spotted what he believed to be a gift from another man.

Flying into a jealous rage, it is thought that Balfour then sought revenge, and returned to the house after Julia had left for work, and shot her mother Darnell Donerson, 57, brother Jason, 29, then took her son, 7-year-old Julian King, later killing him as well.

Evidence is now amounting against the accused. Gunpowder residue was found in his car, while a growing list of incidents illustrates the tension between him and Julia.

In October, Balfour arrived at Julia's workplace to accuse her of dating another man and threatened her family.

While he claims that he left the house after Julia went to work, and got on public transport, he was not seen on security footage at the station he claimed to visit, and his mobile phone records place him by the house.

Balfour still denies the crimes.

Police Superintendent Weis commented, 'He's not confessed to these crimes. You never know how a jury is going to decide cases.. But I am confident that the evidence has been collected, the testimony that's been secured is strong, and I think we can make a very viable case in court.'

Oscar winning actress, Jennifer, is yet to make a public appearance since the tragedy. It was thought that she would return to work this week, to film a music video, but filming has now allegedly been cancelled, with the grief-stricken star still not ready to face the cameras.