Julian King

Julian Darnell King, a bright and beloved 7-year-old African American boy known to his family as "JuiceBox," was a second-grade student who loved to read and play outside. He was the son of Julia Hudson and the nephew of singer and actress Jennifer Hudson, who described her family as a close-knit and grounding force in her life. The tragedy that claimed Julian’s life unfolded in Chicago, Illinois, shaking a family and a nation.

On the morning of October 24, 2008, a horrific crime began inside the family's home in the Englewood neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. Julian’s grandmother, 57-year-old Darnell Donerson, and his uncle, 29-year-old Jason Hudson, were found shot to death. A family member discovered Donerson on the living room floor and called the police, who then found Hudson in a bedroom. In the immediate aftermath, family members realized Julian was missing, and authorities issued an AMBER Alert, sparking a desperate citywide search. Jennifer Hudson offered a $100,000 reward for her nephew's safe return.

The search for Julian ended in heartbreak three days later. On October 27, police responded to a call about a suspicious vehicle on the city's West Side, in the 1300 block of South Kolin Avenue. Inside the parked Chevrolet Suburban, which belonged to Jason Hudson, they discovered Julian's body. An autopsy confirmed he had died from multiple gunshot wounds, and his death was ruled a homicide. Prosecutors later alleged that after killing Donerson and Hudson, the perpetrator abducted Julian, drove away in the SUV, and shot the boy in the head as he lay behind a front seat.

The Chicago Police Department's investigation quickly focused on William Balfour, the 27-year-old estranged husband of Julian’s mother, Julia Hudson. Balfour, who was on parole for a 1999 attempted murder and vehicular hijacking conviction, was taken into custody for questioning the same day the first two victims were found. Though he was initially held on a parole violation, the investigation continued. Prosecutors built a circumstantial case, alleging Balfour acted out of a jealous rage over his belief that Julia was seeing another man. Witnesses testified that Balfour had previously threatened to harm the family.

On December 1, 2008, William Balfour was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Darnell Donerson, Jason Hudson, and Julian King. He was also charged with home invasion, aggravated kidnapping, residential burglary, and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Balfour pleaded not guilty to all charges in January 2009. His trial began in April 2012, featuring emotional testimony from Jennifer Hudson, who told the court that her family had disapproved of her sister's marriage to Balfour. Prosecutors presented 83 witnesses over 11 days, while the defense argued police had rushed to judgment and targeted Balfour.

On May 11, 2012, after three days of deliberation, a jury found William Balfour guilty on all counts. On July 24, 2012, he was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 120 years for the other crimes. In a statement following the verdict, Jennifer and Julia Hudson expressed gratitude for the prosecutors' tireless work and extended prayers to the Balfour family, saying, "we have all suffered a terrible loss in this tragedy."

A public memorial for Julian, his grandmother, and his uncle was held at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago, where thousands gathered to pay their respects. In the years since the tragedy, Jennifer and Julia Hudson established the Hudson-King Foundation for Families of Slain Victims in honor of their lost loved ones, providing support to other families affected by violent crime. The foundation also hosts an annual "Hatch Day" event in Chicago to provide school supplies to children in Julian's memory.