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Did a Gift Spark the Hudson Family Killings?

Hudson murders triggered by jealousy, police say

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 13, 2008 4:20 PM CST

(Newser) – Police believe a stray birthday gift set off the massacre of Jennifer Hudson’s family, People reports. Hudson’s sister Julia held a party the day before the murders to celebrate her 31st birthday. When estranged husband William Balfour showed up, he spotted a gift... Read full story »

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Family Clash May Have Spurred Hudson Killings

Jen's clan had kicked out sister's estranged husband

(NEWSER) - The estranged husband of Julia Hudson, Jennifer’s sister, is the top suspect in the murder of their three relatives—and police say disputes between the couple may have motivated the crimes, the Chicago Tribune reports. The Hudsons’ mother had thrown William Balfour, 27, out of her house in the past; he had threatened Julia and the family. He and Julia had had a spat over late payments on his car the day of the killings, the Tribune reports, which caused her wages to be garnished. More»

Jennifer Hudson Didn't Want Sister to Marry Alleged Killer

New details surface in murders of singer's family

(NEWSER) - Jennifer Hudson didn't approve of the relationship between her sister Julia and William Balfour, the man accused of killing Hudson's mother, brother, and nephew in 2008, according to newly filed court documents. Hudson grew up near Balfour and the two attended the same elementary school. She told detectives there was tension between her family and Balfour's over the relationship Balfour had with Julia Hudson, and that her family didn't learn of Julia's marriage to Balfour until months after it happened in late 2006. Hudson had advised Julia not to marry Balfour, she told prosecutors. More»

Jealousy Blamed in Hudson Murders

Suspect upset that estranged wife dating: prosecutors

(NEWSER) - Prosecutors have pinned a motive on Jennifer Hudson's brother-in-law, alleging today that he killed her family members out of anger that his estranged wife was dating someone else, reports the AP. William Balfour—who has been charged with the murders of Hudson's mother, brother, and nephew—confronted Julia Hudson at the family home the morning of the slayings. The couple left the home together, then he returned alone, prosecutors say. More»

Guilty Verdicts in Slayings of Jennifer Hudson's Family

William Balfour convicted of three murders

(NEWSER) - The man accused of killing Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother, and young nephew has been found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder, reports AP . William Balfour shot to death Darnell Donerson, 57, Jason Hudson, 29, and Julian King, 7, in what prosecutors say was a jealous rage in 2008. He faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison. More»

Judge Releases Frantic 911 Call in Hudson Murder Trial

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(NEWSER) - “Somebody killed my mother. Please help me,” said Jennifer Hudson's sister, Julia, in a chilling phone call to emergency services. “My momma. My momma.” Jurors in the triple-murder trial of Hudson's mother, sister, and nephew have already heard the 911 recording, but today the judge made it public. Judge Charles Burns said the rights of the accused, William Balfour, would not be harmed by releasing the tape. You can hear it at the Chicago Sun-Times . More»

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Did a Gift Spark the Hudson Family Killings?

Hudson murders triggered by jealousy, police say

murder • Jennifer Hudson • motive • William Balfour • Julia Hudson

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More Newser Stories

Family Clash May Have Spurred Hudson Killings

Jen's clan had kicked out sister's estranged husband

Jennifer Hudson Didn't Want Sister to Marry Alleged Killer

New details surface in murders of singer's family

Jealousy Blamed in Hudson Murders

Suspect upset that estranged wife dating: prosecutors

Guilty Verdicts in Slayings of Jennifer Hudson's Family

William Balfour convicted of three murders

Judge Releases Frantic 911 Call in Hudson Murder Trial

And Balfour mistress says he confessed

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