Hudson said, "Yes, that's him," when she was shown the face of Julian King on a wall-mounted video screen. She entered the room with her head bowed but "remained strong for her family," said the spokesman. "It was very clear that she was the leader. She held hands with her family. It was obviously a very emotional moment."

The actress, who won an Oscar for her role in Dreamgirls, had offered a $100,000 dollar reward on Sunday for the safe return of her nephew, which was accompanied by an emotional plea from the boy's mother, Julia. He was reported missing on Friday, after Hudson's mother and brother had been found shot dead in their home. Julian's body was found on Monday, also shot dead, in his uncle's white SUV, which had been stolen on the day of the shootings, 14 miles from the family home in Englewood on Chicago's South Side.

Hours after his body was discovered, the reward notice was removed from Hudson's website and replaced with a short message: "Thank you for your prayers and calls. The support has been overwhelming and we thank you for being there for us through this tough time. Sincerely, the Hudson family."

Julian's step-father, William Balfour, who had become estranged from the boy's mother, has been in custody since Friday and is being held over violation of his parole. He has denied involvement in the killings and has reportedly stopped talking to investigators. Balfour, a baker who has convictions for attempted murder and carjacking, had fallen out with Hudson's family after being asked to move out of the family home in Englewood last winter.

Hudson, who rose to fame after competing in the television talent show American Idol, has often credited her upbringing in the impoverished suburb of Chicago with her success. She had, however, encouraged her mother to move away from the crime-ridden area. Miss Donerson refused, saying she did not want her daughter's fame to change her life.

Neighbours had heard gunshots on Friday morning but were so used to the sound that they ignored them. An autopsy showed that Miss Donerson, 59, and Mr Hudson, 29, died from multiple gunshot wounds. Police say they are treating the murders as a "domestic" crime. They now believe the shootings began when a gunman fired through a door and hit Mr Hudson. The attacker then went into the house and continued to fire, hitting Miss Donerson.

Family friends said Balfour and his wife had recently been arguing over ownership of her car.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/3273698/Jennifer-Hudson-remained-strong-as-she-identified-shot-nephew.html