Julian King Third Victim Of Domestic Violence

About 100 people had assembled Monday evening for a candlelight vigil outside the Englewood neighborhood family home of Academy Award-winning singer and actress Jennifer Hudson, where her mother and brother were found slain Friday. (They could at least mention Julian's name before they start going on about the Academy Award.)

It was confirmed earlier in the day that the actress' 7-year-old nephew also had been killed. (And that nephew is called what? His name isn't nephew.)

The group outside the Hudson home included both friends and strangers that came to support the family with song and prayer.

Killed were Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, brother, Jason Hudson, and nephew, Julian King. Police were questioning the estranged husband of Hudson's sister Julia, the mother of Julian. (This story probably would have made national news even without the connection to Jennifer Hudson because three generations of a single family were murdered. It is a shocking story in its own right.)

The memorial outside the home in the 7000 block of South Yale Avenue had grown substantially Monday with photos of the victims, stuffed animals, balloons and posters for people to sign.

Around 6 p.m., the crowd sang Jennifer Hudson's song "Spotlight."

News of Julian's death was on everyone's mind. (No matter how many times I read of murdered children, I just don't understand how anyone could murder a child.)

Latrice Wells, 31, from the neighborhood, was at the vigil and said she knew the family. Wells recalled seeing Julian riding a four-wheeler down the block. "He loved being outside playing and talking to everyone. He was a joyful little boy," she said.

Wells found out about Julian's death on television and said she cried. She arrived at the memorial site with a stuffed animal. "I feel what they're going through," Wells said.

Some people who didn't know the Hudson family said they showed up to provide support. Shelia Smith, a nurse at nearby hospital, brought a yellow rose. "It really hit home because it's like losing one of your own," she said.

Hudson, who gained stardom after appearing on "American Idol" and then won an Academy Award for the movie "Dreamgirls," spent the days since the murders out of the public eye (Because she realizes that this isn't about her. Julian was her sister's child. I bet she is with her sister giving her the love and support that Julia needs. Because as much grief as Jennifer Hudson feels her sister, Julia is feeling it a million times worse.) but high in public consciousness. And Monday, her family and supporters feared the worst -- that the body found early Monday on the West Side in a white Chevrolet Suburban was Julian.

The SUV belonged to Jason Hudson.

A parade of cars moved slowly past her family's home Monday morning, squeezing past news vans and a gathering crowd of reporters. Neighbors came by to drop items on the memorial or simply came to stand quietly and reflect on the violence that is too often a part of the neighborhood.

"Everybody is sick of going through stuff like this," said Artisha West, who did not know the Hudson family but used to live in the area. "We all have to stick together. All these young children are dying, and for what?"

Soon after Julian's body was found, neighbors and well-wishers from the Englewood neighborhood flocked to the Hudson home, dropping off teddy bears and flowers at an ever-growing memorial on the sidewalk.

No one knew each other or planned it ahead of time. All said they gathered in a common grief.

"To hear of this tragedy, the only thing I could do was come by and pray," Rev. Luther McDade, a pastor at the First Missionary Baptist Church on East 75th Street, said as more than a dozen people from the gathering crowd encircled the memorial in prayer.

"Everybody is touched by this," said Kevin Smith, who brought his 5-year-old son, little Kevin. (Maybe people should leave their kids home when they visit crime scenes. Let them enjoy the innocence of childhood. I doubt little Kevin really understands what is going on. Now he is probably worried about if this is going to happen to him.) "You just wish there was more that you could do. You can't do nothing but come by here and pay your respects and pray that your own family is taken care of."

Lynetta Clark rushed to the home moments after learning a third body had been found.


"It's just crazy," she said. "You need to hold onto your baby as tight as you can. I feel so sorry for the family."

In front of the Hudson's home, men in heavy jackets and hooded sweatshirts came to kiss the twin white crosses marked for Darnell Donerson and Jason Hudson.

"They were a very close family, I just can't believe this," said neighbor Jemia Laye, who said she was friends with Jennifer's sister Julia growing up. Laye dropped off a pink monkey stuffed animal onto the pile.

"She loved that boy," Laye said of Julia. Of the woman's son, Julian: "He was always happy and saying hi to everybody."

As pieces began coming together in the police investigation, the Hudson family also had spent the weekend praying, holding out hope until reports said a boy's body was found in Jason Hudson's SUV. (Ladies be careful who you bring around your kids.)

"All we can do is pray," said Rev. Krista Alston of Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church, who is Hudson's cousin. "We're a family of deep faith."
Also of interest:
Has Julian King's Body Been Found
Tragedy Strikes Jennifer Hudson's Family
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