When I heard that Jennifer Hudson’s mother and brother were slain in the family’s Chicago home on Friday, I was hoping it was a vicious rumor. Unfortunately, we all know this is not the case. What makes this tragedy even more heartbreaking is that police may have just found the body of her nephew, Julian King (who is just 7 years old) who has also been missing since Friday. Last night Hudson had offered a $100,000 reward for the boy’s safe return.

Fingers are pointing at Hudson’s estranged brother-in-law, William Balfour, who has been questioned and is being held on a parole violation. While Balfour’s mother continues to shout that her son is innocent, even she can’t deny that he does have a history of violent behavior. Now a child’s body has been discovered in the white SUV Balfour was alleged driving on Friday. To date, police have remained tight-lipped about the evidence (which seems to be plentiful).  As we have watched the story of what really happened to Darnell Donerson (Hudson’s mother) and Jason Hudson (her brother) and now Julian King unfold, what is apparent is that they knew their assailant. Police initially characterized the crime as a domestic incident. Ironically, this is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

If this is indeed a case of domestic violence leading to death, the Hudson family have suddenly become the prominent faces of all too familiar circumstance. It is not just the girlfriend or spouse of an abused woman who is at risk, her children and family can also be caught in the crossfire or an abuser trying to regain control. These kind of things happen so often in communities of color but often the victims are nameless and faceless to most of us. This time we can’t turn away. We have to recognize abuse as an ongoing and dangerous problem in our community that has both women and children as its victims.

And then there’s Jennifer, who has to hold herself together in the face of these tragic losses and a weekend of uncertainty.The past few months have been so great for her—with the success of her self-titled CD and her turn in The Secret Life of Bees. But as every black woman knows, life can change in an instant. She’ll need her faith like never before.

Let’s pray that Jennifer and her loved ones continue to surrounded with love and strength.

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