Jennifer issues a statement

Jennifer Hudson issued a statement via a blog entry on her official music MySpace page Sunday thanking fans for the outpouring of support that she has received since news came of the slayings of her mother and brother and the kidnapping of her 7-year-old nephew.

In the entry, Jennifer said the following:

Thank you all for your prayers and your calls. Please keep praying for our family and that we get Julian King back home safely. If anyone has any information about his whereabouts please contact the authorities immediately. Here is a picture of Julian and what he was last seen wearing. Once again thank you all for being there for us through this tough time.

The statement was signed "The Hudson Family." So far, police have named William Balfour, the estranged husband of Jennifer's sister, Julia, as a "person of interest" in the killings and kidnapping. According to The Associated Press, however, he has not officially been charged with the crimes. Two photos of Jennifer's nephew, Julian King, were included in her blog entry.

Former Idol finalists from Season 3 have spoken out in support of Jennifer including LaToya London, who said "My heart, my prayers and love go out to Jennifer and her family" and Diana DeGarmo, who said "My thoughts and prayers are with you, Jennifer and we are here for you."

Jon Peter Lewis probably summed it up best when he called the situation "Senseless beyond speech," following it up with "Infuriating. Confusing. Heartbreaking. There are no words that could describe the loss you must feel."