Jennifer Hudson's Hollywood pals in shock after her family tragedy

Washington, October 28 : Friends of Jennifer Hudson have expressed their grief over the brutal murders of the singer's mother and brother, while her seven-year-old nephew went missing after the incident.

The Oscar winner, whose family was slain in their Chicago residence, has received support from friends both within and outside the industry.

While close pal Pinkett-Smith couldn't bring herself to talk about the tragedy, Hudson's 'American Idol' companions too were devastated after hearing the gruesome news.

"It's just a huge shock; I think the whole country was shocked. It was one of those things that if you lose mother that's terribly sad but to lose your mother in that way where she's murdered is just horrific," Fox News quoted 'American Idol' s former Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe as telling Pop Tarts.

Fellow singer Taraji P. Henson also remembered Hudson and her family in her prayers, hoping that the 27-year-old would find enough strength to pull herself through the trying times.

She said: "Jennifer, I know what it is to lose a close family member - I lost my father to liver cancer and I cannot imagine what you could be going through right now,"

"But my prayers, my thoughts are with you. I just pray to God that you find the strength to get through this."

ANI