Jennifer Hudson's Brother-in-Law Arrested in Deaths of Family Members

Jennifer Hudson's estranged brother-in-law has been arrested in the deaths of the Oscar-winning actress' mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.

"We have obtained an arrest warrant for William Balfour," Chicago Police Department spokeswoman Monique Bond said, according to the Associated Press. "He was released to Chicago detectives." She reportedly added that he will be charged on three counts of murder.

The suspect, 27, had been married to Hudson's sister Julia. He was questioned by police after the bodies of the two adults were found, but not charged with a crime. Balfour was taken into custody on parole violation, and is now awaiting formal charges in the family deaths.

Balfour's arrest follows the deaths of Darnell Hudson Donerson, 57, and Jason Hudson, 29, whose bodies were found Oct. 24 at Donerson's home, and 7-year-old Julian King, whose body was found several days later in an SUV.

Jennifer Hudson got her start on American Idol, and later won an Academy Award for her performance in Dreamgirls. After the tragedy of her family members' deaths, she sent fans a message on her web site, thanking them for their prayers and support.