Hudson's publicist, Lisa Kasteler, said in a statement, "We can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation concerning the deaths of Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, and her brother, Jason Hudson. No further comment will be made and the family has asked that their privacy be respected at this difficult time." An Amber Alert has also been issued for Julian King, the seven-year-old grandson of Darnell Donerson who is missing from the South Side home. The child, according to the alert, was possibly abducted by a man "considered armed and dangerous — who was a suspect in the double homicide investigation," according to AP.

Jennifer Hudson earned several trophies — including the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, the Golden Globe Award and the Screen Actors Guild Award — for playing the role of Effie in the Bill Condon-directed "Dreamgirls," her film debut. Hudson, who was seen in the Actors Fund benefit concert of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, had a featured role in this past summer's "Sex and the City" feature film.

Hudson's song "Spotlight" is currently No. 1 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts.