Jennifer Hudson Mourns Murdered Family 11/4/08

Grieving singer Jennifer Hudson has said goodbye to her mother, brother and nephew at an emotional funeral service in her native Chicago, Illinois. Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, and brother, Jason, were found shot dead at their home in the city on 24 October (08). The singer/actress' nephew, Julian King, was also killed - his body was found in an abandoned car three days later.

And the Oscar-winner turned out on Monday (03Nov08) to pay tribute to her loved ones. Around 200 friends and family, holding blue admittance slips, attended the invitation-only service at the city's Apostolic Church of God.

Crowds of fans gathered outside the church, hoping to pass on their condolences to the star - forcing police to shut down the surrounded streets in a bid to give mourners some privacy, according to local newspaper the Chicago Tribune.

Hudson's American Idol pal Fantasia Barrino was also a guest at the funeral and the singer closed the proceedings with an emotional rendition of gospel classic, Your Grace and Mercy.

Hudson's slain family members were also remembered at a private memorial service on Sunday (02Nov08).

Police are currently quizzing William Balfour, the estranged husband of Hudson's sister Julia, over the slayings, but authorities have not filed any charges against him.