The mother and brother of Jennifer Hudson were shot dead last night in their home in Chicago�s South Side.
A suspect has reportedly been arrested but police are still searching for the star's missing seven-year-old nephew, Julian King.
The bodies of Darnell Donnerson, 57, and Jason Hudson, 29, were found at a house by Hudson's sister Julia when she returned from work.
A police spokeswoman said the deaths appeared to be the result of domestic abuse.
Police immediately issued an alert for the missing boy who they said might have been abducted from the home and could be in the company of William Balfour.
Some media reports said Balfour had been taken into custody. However, Chicago police would not confirm this.
The 27-year-old is thought to be the estranged husband of Julia Hudson and the missing boy's stepfather.
Media reports claim he is on parole after serving six-and-a-half years for attempted murder.
Jennifer Hudson, 27, who rose to fame in the US as a contestant on American Idol, was reported to be flying home to Chicago from Tampa, Florida.