Tragedy Strikes Hollywood

Dreamgirls star Jennifer Hudson returns to her hometown to mourn the brutal murder of her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.

Heartbreak for the Hudson Family

Academy Award-winner Jennifer Hudson is mourning the tragic loss of her mother, brother and nephew. Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, and older brother, Jason Hudson, were found fatally shot inside their Southside Chicago home on Friday. Upon hearing the news, Hudson immediately rushed back to her hometown to be with her family and has issued a statement requesting privacy at this time. Police initially responded to a call reporting two people found unresponsive. The bodies are believed to have been discovered by a family member who lives nearby.
Following the tragedy, an Amber Alert was issued for the search of Hudson's missing 7-year-old nephew, Julian King. Hudson immediately offered a $100K reward for the safe return of her nephew, who had been abducted from her mother's home.

In a drastic turn of events, Usmagazine.com reports that the body of a 7-year-old boy was discovered in the back seat of an abandoned white Chevy Suburban Monday on Monday morning. It was later confirmed by Chicago police that the body was identified as that of Julian King. (King's mother is Hudson's older sister, Julia.) According to the Chicago Tribune, about 100 friends and strangers gathered for a candlelight vigil of song and prayer Monday evening. Chicago police currently have William Balfour in custody, and he remains the focus of the investigation. Balfour is the estranged husband of Julian's mother, Julia.

The Hudson family has reached out via Jennifer Hudson's MySpace page. The family writes, "Thank you all for being there for us through this tough time." Presidential hopeful and fellow Chicago-native, Barack Obama, generously lends his support of the actress and her family. The Illinois senator says, "Michelle [Obama] and I were absolutely heartbroken to learn about this unimaginable tragedy and we want Jennifer to know that she is in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time."

Thoughts and prayers go out to Hudson and her family.

The Cuffs are Off

Hulk Hogan's son, Nicholas Bollea (better known as Nick Hogan), has been released from prison after serving 166 days of an eight month sentence for reckless driving. Hogan's media-friendly family has been more-than-vocal about their feelings on the matter. Sister Brooke Hogan blogged about her brother's homecoming, "I'm gonna make him every kind of food you can possibly think of! He's been living on bread and potatoes so far, and I know some Mac-n-Cheese is gonna hit the spot!" Mother Linda Bollea (currently estranged from ex Hulk Hogan) has released a statement saying, "This is our time as a family to come together to support Nick's adjustment back into the public life, keeping it as normal as possible...His focus is to make a positive difference in this world, media-free. Since his future actions will speak louder than any words, there is no need to speak to the media at this time." Ironic--as releasing a statement is technically considered as speech with the media.

Hogan's reckless driving sentence came as a result of an August 2007 street-racing crash that severely injured Bollea's friend, John Graziano, who now requires lifelong medical care due to the severity of his injuries. Hogan reportedly lost control of his father's Toyota Supra while street racing in Clearwater, Florida. The Graziano family has since sought legal action against the Hogans claiming negligence. The case has not yet reached a settlement.