“I’m planning on touring,” Jennifer Hudson smiled and spoke enthusiastically only weeks ago. “There’s more films and more music and stuff like that [in the future],” she said. “I want to start a fashion line as well, start writing music.” After her breakout performance in Dreamgirls, appearing as Carrie Bradshaw’s assistant in the runaway hit chick flick Sex and the City and with a new album and movie already making waves, Jennifer Hudson’s life seemed charmed. Today, the effervescent star is at the center of a grisly tragedy.

Engaged to David Otunga and on the brink of what appears to be an extremely successful career, Hudson talked of her many future plans. “It’s gonna be a production,” she said of her wedding. “I have so many visions for it right now - I get to put that together.”

Hudson, 27, had the world at her feet only last week. Now, she probably feels the weight of the world crashing down on her shoulders. Over the weekend, Hudson’s mother and brother were victims of domestic violence, events which proved fatal for both. On Monday, the star was in Chicago identifying the body of her nephew Julian, 7, who had gone missing after the killings took place.

Darnell Donerson (Hudson‘s mother), 57, and Jason Hudson (brother), 29, suffered a double homicide which has been described by police as domestic. Julian, 7, was the son to Jennifer’s sister Julia. Currently, police are holding William Balfour in custody. He is wed to Julia Hudson, currently estranged, and has not been charged with any crime connected to the murders.

Hudson has thanked fans for their support on her MySpace page, but she is currently in Chicago and in seclusion. Her upcoming promotions appearances for the album and her flick The Secret Life of Bees have been canceled, as have the plans to shoot her music video for the single “If It Isn’t Love.”

“This is a horrific tragedy, and my thoughts and prayers go out to Jennifer and her entire family,” American Idol judge Paula Abdul said in a recent statement. “I personally can’t imagine a greater loss for any family.” Hudson was a member of the Idol cast in the show’s third season..

Hudson, who won the Academy Award for her role as Effie in the film version of Dreamgirls, is being quietly honored by the industry. In show of support for Hudson, casting for the Dreamgirls national tour has been put to a halt. “Our prayers and thoughts are with Ms. Hudson and her family at this tragic time,” said product John Breglio. “Due to this horrific tragedy, we feel this is not the time for a talent search for a role that is so closely connected with Ms. Hudson.”

Auditions for the show were scheduled to start November 1 at the famous Apollo Theater in New York. The date has now been pushed back to November 22.

(You can follow updates to this story here.)