Members of Jennifer Hudson's family have identified a body found in an SUV Monday morning as that of the singer's nephew. The body of Julian King was found on the floor of his uncle's SUV, which was wanted in connection to the disappearance of the 7-year-old. King had been missing since Friday.
Police would not say how or where the boy died, but unconfirmed reports say King was shot.
Three family members, including Jennifer Hudson; Julian's mother, Julia Hudson; and another man, went to identify the body. Jennifer Hudson made the official identification.
They arranged to view Julian's body via a live video feed. Upon seeing his face, Jennifer Hudson reportedly made the official identification. A Cook County spokesperson commented on the moment
"Remarkably, Jennifer Hudson was very strong for her family, and it was very apparent that she was the leader within that group, that kept the composure," said Sean Howard, Cook County spokesman. "It was a very touching, emotional moment but yet and still Ms. Hudson remained strong, and she encouraged her family members to remain strong."
An Amber Alert was issued for King after the Oscar-Award winning actress' mother, 57-year-old Darnell Donerson, and brother, 29-year-old Jason Hudson, were found shot to death Friday on the city's South Side. That Amber Alert included a description of Jason Hudson's SUV, which was found in the 1300-block of South Kolin Avenue Monday just after 7 a.m. It was towed away around 9 a.m.
"Responding officers observed a white, Chevy Suburban with license plate number X584859 and confirmed that this was the vehicle that was the subject of the Amber Alert and the wanted vehicle. Further investigation revealed that a body was inside. But can't identify the body pending the medical examiner's examination. The vehicle has been towed for further processing, and the investigation is ongoing," said Gulliford.
Investigators closed off the area where the vehicle was found. It is not clear how long the vehicle was parked on the street. Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis said it had likely been several days.
Early Monday morning, police sources say that they searched a home in the 1900-block of South Spaulding, which is about six or seven blocks from where William Balfour, 27, a person of interest in the murders, was arrested. He has not been charged but he is in police custody on a parole violation.
Oscar winner Dream Girl and American Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson lost her mom and brother, both found murdered in the Hudson Chicago home on the southside.
An Amber alert has been issued for Jennifer's missing nephew who is 7-years-old.
And the other side Julian King, the 7-year-old nephew of Jennifer Hudson, died of multiple gunshot wounds and his death has been ruled a homicide, the Cook County Medical Examiner's office said Tuesday.
"We're not releasing anything else," said ME spokesman Sean Howard. "We possibly have a criminal out there and we have to maintain discretion."
King, the son of Hudson's sister, Julia, was found dead in the back seat of a white SUV vehicle on Chicago's South Side Monday. Three days earlier, the singer's mother, Darnell Donerson, and brother, Jason Hudson, were found fatally shot in their home.
King had been missing since the killings and police had sent out an Amber Alert for the boy.
William Balfour, 27, who is King's stepfather and Julia's estranged husband, remains in custody on a parole violation. Police called him a "person of interest" in the slayings of Donerson and Hudson, but he has not been charged with any crimes.
When asked if Balfour is a person of interest in King's death as well as in the slaying of his grandmother and uncle, Monique Bond, spokesman for the Chicago Police Department, told PEOPLE: "It's all one investigation."
Bond added: "Our investigation continues. He is still considered a person of interest in the investigation."
"We're not releasing anything else," said ME spokesman Sean Howard. "We possibly have a criminal out there and we have to maintain discretion."
King, the son of Hudson's sister, Julia, was found dead in the back seat of a white SUV vehicle on Chicago's South Side Monday. Three days earlier, the singer's mother, Darnell Donerson, and brother, Jason Hudson, were found fatally shot in their home.
King had been missing since the killings and police had sent out an Amber Alert for the boy.
William Balfour, 27, who is King's stepfather and Julia's estranged husband, remains in custody on a parole violation. Police called him a "person of interest" in the slayings of Donerson and Hudson, but he has not been charged with any crimes.
When asked if Balfour is a person of interest in King's death as well as in the slaying of his grandmother and uncle, Monique Bond, spokesman for the Chicago Police Department, told PEOPLE: "It's all one investigation."
Bond added: "Our investigation continues. He is still considered a person of interest in the investigation."
