Hudson's sister makes plea for safe return of son

Chicago: The older sister of actress Jennifer Hudson made a plea at a Chicago church for the return of her missing 7-year-old son, a day after the siblings' mother and brother were found shot to death at the family home.

Julia Hudson made the plea on Saturday for her son Julian King. He was reported missing on Friday from the family's home. The mother and brother of the sisters were found shot to death the same day in the home.

An autopsy on Saturday showed Darnell Donerson, 57, and Jason Hudson, 29, died of gunshot wounds, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. Their deaths were ruled as murder.

Julia Hudson says that her famous sister flew to Chicago after learning the news. It wasn't clear whether the Oscar-winning actress and singer was at the church.

"I don't care who you are, just let the baby go," Julia Hudson said to a crowd from the podium of the Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church with the boy's father, Greg King, at her side. "I just want my son. He don't deserve this."

Authorities were holding a suspect with ties to the family, but no one had been charged on Saturday. Law enforcement sources told the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times that William Balfour was in custody, and the man's mother said he is Julia Hudson's estranged husband.

Balfour was named in a police alert issued after Julian's disappearance. Julia Hudson did not comment on her relationship to Balfour.

News of the slayings attracted the attention of fellow Chicagoan Barack Obama on Saturday. Jennifer Hudson sang the national anthem at the Democratic National Convention before Obama accepted the party's presidential nomination in August.

Obama said in a statement, "Michelle and I were absolutely heartbroken to learn about this unimaginable tragedy, and we want Jennifer and to know that she is in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time … We also pray for the swift and safe return of her young nephew."