Mother, brother of US actress Jennifer Hudson killed (Roundup)

Oct 25, 2008, 20:22 GMT

Washington - Police on Saturday were continuing to search for the missing nephew of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson, one day after her mother and brother were found dead in their Chicago home in an apparent domestic dispute, the Chicago Sun Times newspaper reported.

The bodies of Darnell Hudson Donerson, 57, and Jason Hudson, 29, were found shot to death Friday afternoon, police said. Hudson's nephew, 7-year-old Julian King, was reported missing from the home.

Police and the FBI were searching for the boy, whose stepfather is in custody as a suspect in the slayings. No charges had been filed against William Balfour, 27, the estranged husband of Hudson's sister Julia.

Neighbours heard shots fired, but did not immediately alert the police because gunfire is common in the poor south Chicago neighbourhood.

Hudson, 29, won an Oscar for her role in the musical Dreamgirls in 2007. She also starred in blockbuster Sex and the City and The Secret Life of Bees.

Just weeks ago the singer, who broke onto the scene in the talent programme American Idol, released her debut album, Jennifer Hudson. She is recently engaged to boyfriend David Otunga.