An estimated 2,500 mourners paid their respects yesterday morning at the funerals of Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson; her brother, Jason; and her nephew, Julian King. Oprah, Missy Elliot and Queen Latifah were in attendance, as well as Hudson's former American Idol colleague Fantasia Barrino, who also sang a tribute during the service. more ›

Police say forensic tests have confirmed that the .45-caliber Sig-Sauer semiautomatic pistol recovered earlier this week is indeed the weapon used in the shootings of Jennifer Hudson's mother, brother, and nephew. ATF officers tracked the gun to its original owner in Michigan who reported it stolen. more ›

There haven't been any new major breaks, but some details in connection to the high-profile triple homicide which has come to be a tragic symbol of Chicago's violent year have steadily been streaming out. more ›

Police recovered a handgun in a search of an alley near the area where the body of 7-year-old Julian King was found in a white SUV. Autopsy results have found that all three victims were shot with a .45 caliber gun; officials haven't said what caliber the discovered gun is. more ›

In the wake of both the news that Chicago is tops in murder and the high profile triple homicide involving family members of Oscar-winning actress and Chicago native Jennifer Hudson, Mayor Daley took to the city's defense, saying he's "not proud" of Chicago's new #1 status and claiming that nothing could have been done to prevent the Hudson murders.

"We’re not proud of it. But, you don’t hide it. You don’t take the statistics, all the facts and say it didn’t happen. It happens,” Daley said, apparently referring to past attempts to re-classify homicides to hold down the murder rate. more ›