Jennifer Hudson Begged Mother To Move Out Of Neighborhood 11/4/08

Actress Jennifer Hudson blames herself for last month's (Oct08) tragic murders of her mother, brother and nephew in her native Chicago, Illinois - insisting she should have convinced her family to move out of the troubled neighborhood.

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' seven-year-old nephew, Julian King, was also killed - his body was found in an abandoned car three days later.

And the Oscar-winning Dreamgirls star, 27, now feels wracked with guilt over the deaths, claiming she should have done more to move them away from the family home in Chicago's notorious South Side to live with her in Los Angeles.

Family friend Sharita Dickey says, "Jennifer grew up on Chicago's South Side, and knew all about the violence. She was able to get out, and wanted to take her mama with her, but Darnell said no."

Hudson's second cousin, Reverend Krista Alston, adds, "Jennifer is hurting and asking why this happened. She's asking why she didn't do more to persuade Darnell to move away. "It was Darnell's decision to stay here in Chicago. This was her home and her family were here."

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.