Jennifer Hudson Photos & Pics Archive

Despite the horrible tragedy that befell Academy Award winning actress/singer Jennifer Hudson, Gap's going ahead with the Holiday campaign starring Hudson that she did before her family were so brutally murdered.

According to Eonline, Jennifer had the choice to back out of the campaign (which was shot in July), if she so desired.

Gap spokesperson Olive Doyne tells E that "She said she wanted to be a part of it and that we should move forward."

And on her MySpace page, Jennifer posted a short message to her fans yesterday, simply titled "Thank You All":

"I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. My sister and I take great comfort and strength from your love and concern.jhud"

Photo courtesy The Gap

Yesterday police confirmed that they have found the weapon used in the murders of three of Jennifer Hudson's family members. Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, 57, and her brother Jason, 29 were found shot to death in the family's Chicago home last Friday, and the body of her 7-year-old nephew, Julian King was later found in a nearby vacant lot in an SUV.

According to the Associated Press, a .45-caliber gun was found on Wednesday in the vacant lot, and it is "positively identified through forensic examination as the weapon that was used in the homicides," said police superintendent Jody Weis.

Funeral services for Hudson's mother, brother and nephew will be held Monday, and the Oscar-winning actress and her sister Julia just announced that they have established the Hudson-King Foundation for families of slain victims. On Hudson's Myspace Celebrity blog, she released the following statement:

In the wake of the tragic deaths of Darnell Hudson Donerson, Jason Hudson and Julian King, Julia and Jennifer Hudson have established the Hudson-King Foundation For Families of Slain Victims in honor of their family members. The specific purpose of the Foundation is to care for the needs of families who have lost relatives to a violent crime. This encompasses their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter as well as grief counseling.

Donations to the Hudson-King Foundation:
c/o Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP
Attn: William L. Abrams, Esq.
237 West 35th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10001

There's more tragic news for Jennifer Hudson and her family.

The FBI now says that a body found in an SUV is believed to be that of Hudson's missing 7-year-old nephew, Julian King.

The SUV was found parked on the street in a neighborhood of brownstone homes and apartment buildings, and matched the one sought in an Amber Alert issued after Hudson's mother and brother were found slain Friday, police Cmdr. Wayne Gulliford told the Associated Press.

Reports say Jennifer Hudson has been called to the Medical Examiner's office to identify the body of the young boy.

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that a body has been found in the search for Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson's nephew.

A child's body was found in the 1994 white Chevy Suburban police were looking for in conjunction with the kidnapping of 7 year-old Julian King.

The car was found parked on South Kolin Avenue in Chicago and police have towed it away. They Cook County medical examiner's office sent investigators to the scene and they confirmed that the body of a black boy was found inside.

More details expected soon ...

Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson took to her MySpace yesterday to one, "thank you all for your prayers and your calls," and two, to ask for help in locating her nephew.

As we all know by now, the Hudson family has endured a horrible tragedy. Again, please visit Jennifer's MySpace blog for more information...

Her nephew's name is Julian King.

Chicago police have the estranged husband of Jennifer Hudson's sister in custody as a suspect in the murder of Hudson's mother and brother. It is the suspect, William Balfour's 7 year-old step-son Julian who was abducted from the scene of the murders and who is still missing.

Balfour's mother said her son has nothing to do with the crimes.

Meanwhile, the police have called in the FBI to assist with the search of the boy.

Last night, we caught up with American Idol host Ryan Seacrest -- who worked with the former contestant who went on to win an Oscar for Dreamgirls -- and he called the murders "horrible" ...

Balfour photo courtesy MySpace

Jennifer Hudson's mother, 57-year-old Darnelle Donerson, and her brother, Jason Hudson, have been found shot to death inside their home outside of Chicago.

A 7 year-old boy believed to be Donerson's grandson, appears to have been kidnapped from the scene.

The Cook County medical examiner's office says officials were dispatched Friday afternoon to a South Side home where the bodies of a man and a woman were found, according to the Associated Press.

Jennifer is reportedly en route from Tampa to Chicago to be with her family. The Dreamgirls and The Secret Life of Bees star was recently engaged to her boyfriend David Otunga.

This is tragic beyond words. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jennifer and her family.

Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson got engaged to boyfriend and I Love New York 2 "star" David "Punk" Otunga on September 12, which was also her 27th birthday.

The two have been dating for less than a year, and according to Hudson's publicist, a wedding date has not been set.

Hmmm...

Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, sporting a new Katie Holmes inspired 'do, led the crowd in an unintentional sing-along to "And I am Telling You" at the NYE party at Setai in Miami.

I know it's a crowd favorite, but maybe everyone should leave the singing to the Jennifers!

Jennifer Hudson was kind enough to share her plans for the holidays with us last night: family, family, family!

The Dreamgirl spoke about going home to Chicago for the Christmas to keep her plans simple and streamlined.

After the holidays, however, Jennifer's calendar's gonna fill up quick as her album inches closer to release. Check out the clip below to hear her discuss her music!

Maybe it's more like "green carpet divas", but Movies Rock certainly attracted some of the biggest names in music and films to walk the carpet Sunday night!

In addition to a very preggers Jennifer Lopez, Miz Beyonce (matching the green carpet with her green satin gown), Kate Hudson, Molly Sims, Fergie, Eve and Jennifer Hudson all showed up to party down in the name of movies...that have music in them...or somethin' like that.

Turns out this Oscar winner walked away with distaste for her frock. The gown she wore on the Red Carpet may not have been her first choice. Which look do you prefer?

That she's a winner! I'm a Jennifer Hudson fan, a Jennifer Holliday fan, but not really a fan of the movie Dreamgirls...it's no Chicago! Do you think Jennifer deserved an Oscar for her first acting role - or did the Academy give her the statue for being able to tackle that amazing song ALMOST as well as the originator of the role of Effie - Jennifer Holliday?