Jennifer Hudson's tragic family past: Singer's mom, brother and nephew were killed by her classmate

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jennifer Hudson, 41, is an established name in the world of entertainment now as one of the few members of the EGOT club, having won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards. But in her past lies a terrible tragedy.

The ‘Dreamgirls’ star lost her mother, brother, and nephew because of her school classmate, who was also her brother-in-law.

What happened to Jennifer Hudson's family?

The actress’ sister Julia was married but estranged from William Balfour when the tragedy struck.

Hudson once reportedly shared, “We did not like how he treated her, and I didn't like how he treated my nephew.”

Julia and Balfour shared a son, and the man had threatened to take him away. However, things took a really dark turn in 2008 when Balfour killed Hudson’s mother Darnell Donerson, and her brother Jason.

The ‘Respect’ actress’ nephew Julian was missing at the time. However, a few days later his remains were discovered in an SUV.

It has been said that William Balfour decided to go on the killing spree after knowing Julia was dating someone else.

Eventually, Balfour was found guilty and was awarded life imprisonment. At the time, a judge told him, as reported by TMZ, “Your soul is as barren as dark space.”

How did Jennifer Hudson cope with the tragedy?

Talking with Oprah Winfrey on ‘Oprah's Next Chapter’, Hudson said, “I feel like for the most part it's not his fault. It's how he was brought up. We tried to offer love, but you were so far gone, that you couldn't even see that.”

She explained, “A lot of things came out, that we didn't even know about, from his upbringing, which is like... he never had a chance." 

“Had you had the love my mother gave us, or the background that some have, then you would've stood a chance,” Hudson continued.

“There were so many shocks involved in it. Like, who do I grieve for first? Or, who do I start with? It's bits and pieces. It's too much. You're confused. Your emotions are confused,” the singer added.

Hudson has also reportedly given credit to her son for being her savior.  She and former WWE Star David Otunga had David Daniel Otunga Jr in August 2009.

She added, as per ABC News, “I went from being an aunt, having a mom, and being a child to not having a mom, becoming a mom, and raising my own child. I tell David all the time, 'You saved my life.'”