Body found in Jennifer Hudson nephew search

Oct 27, 2008, 15:55 GMT

Sadness. The nephew of Jennifer Hudson, who has not been seen since 24 October 2008 when Hudson\'s mother and brother were found shot to death in their home. Police found the body of a young black boy in an SUV on 27 October 2007. There was no confirmation on the identity of the body. EPA/NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN /

Police investigating Jennifer Hudson's missing nephew have found the body of an African-American boy.

The body, which is yet to be identified, was found in a white SUV (sports utility vehicle) vehicle - believed to be the Chevrolet police were hunting in relation to seven-year-old Julian King - 14 miles from the Chicago property where Jennifer's mother Darnell Donerson, 57, and brother Jason Hudson, 29, were shot dead on Friday (24.10.08).

Julian has not been seen since Friday, and police have staged a desperate hunt for him centering on the vehicle, which it is believed was stolen from the property at the time of the shootings.

Jennifer had offered a $100,000 reward for the safe return of her missing nephew, and issued an appeal for help in locating his whereabouts.

The actress also posted a message on her MySpace page yesterday (26.10.08) - the day after her sister Julia, Julian's mother, made an appeal at a press conference - to thank fans for their support.

Alongside a picture of the youngster, she wrote: "Thank you all for your prayers and your calls. Please keep praying for our family and that we get Julian King back home safely. If anyone has any information about his whereabouts please contact the authorities immediately. Here is a picture of Julian and what he was last seen wearing. Once again thank you all for being there for us through this tough time."

Jennifer's brother-in-law William Balfour - Julia's estranged husband - is currently in custody being questioned about the double-murder and the boy's disappearance.

At the time of writing, police had confirmed 27-year-old William, who served seven years in prison for attempted murder and carjacking in 1999, was being questioned in relation to the killings but is yet to be charged.

He was arrested just a few hours after the bodies were found but has denied any involvement in the killings.

Balfour is reportedly refusing to talk to investigators, while his alibi for the day of the murders is said to have been contradicted by his girlfriend.