Jennifer Hudson's sister's grief

Oct 29, 2008, 10:45 GMT

Hudson\'s family grief: People gather by a memorial outside the childhood home of Academy Award winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson in Chicago, Illinois, USA 27 October 2008. EPA/TANNEN MAURY

Jennifer Hudson's sister Julia has opened her heart following the fatal shooting of her seven-year-old son on Friday (24.10.08).

Julia - whose mother Darnell Donerson, 57, and brother Jason Hudson, 29, were also shot dead at their Chicago home - thanked people for paying tribute to Julian King on her MySpace blog.

She wrote: "Thank you for all your loving support. I know some of you have your opinions and you are entitled to that, like why is she logging onto MySpace at a time like this. Let me tell you why - I was hoping it would be a way to maybe help me get my son, my baby, the one I carried under my heart for eight-and-a-half months, the son it took me 21 hours of labour to bring here, the son I grew to know and love for just a few months over seven years - that's why.

"And now for those of you who actually cared, thank you for all your words of encouragement, thank you for your prayers. His little soul is at ease, I take comfort in knowing that Julian is with my mother and my brother and most of all, the Lord. Now he is my angel - he is protecting me."

An autopsy confirmed yesterday (28.10.08) Julian had died of "multiple gunshot wounds", and his death was ruled a homicide by Chicago County's medical examiner's office.

It has since been reported Julian died of two shots to the head.

Julia's estranged 27-year-old husband William Balfour, who served seven years in prison for attempted murder and carjacking in 1999, is currently in custody being questioned about the triple-murder.

After reportedly refusing to cooperate with police, William - who is not Julian's father - is now being held for a parole violation but has yet to be charged with a crime.

William's alibi for the day of the murders is said to have been contradicted by his girlfriend.