Although it was the lone suspect and everyone quite knew that he was the slayer, police investigators took their time until Monday to arrest William Balfour, Jennifer Hudson’s estranged brother-in-law, for the murders of the actress’ mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.

Police picked William Balfour, 27, from Stateville Correctional Center in Illinois where he had been held on a parole violation since the murders took place. He was taken into custody at about 2 p.m. New York time and he will most likely be charged with murder, the Chicago Sun-Times reported quoting Chicago Police Department spokeswoman Monique Bond.

"We have obtained an arrest warrant for William Balfour. He was released to Chicago detectives," said Bond, who adding that Balfour would be charged with three counts of murder.

Until now, Balfour was labeled and held in prison just as “a person of interest” and had not been charged until Monday. Police authorities probably knew Balfour was the murderer, but took their time to collect evidence to prove it in court.  

However, Balfour’s attorney claims his client is innocent.

"He vehemently denies that he is guilty in this case," Joshua Kutnick told reporters outside police headquarters. "Any evidence pointing to Mr. Balfour is not even thin. It is very, very weak."

Police discovered the bodies of Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, 57, and brother, Jason Hudson, 29, on October 24 in the family home in Chicago. The body of the Oscar-winning actress’ nephew, Julian King, was located three days later in a SUV on the city's West Side.

Police took Balfour into custody shortly after the crimes were discovered, and after 48 hours (the longest Chicago police can hold a person without charges) the suspect was taken by the Illinois Department of Corrections on the suspected parole violation.

Balfour had served seven years for attempted murder and vehicular hijacking conviction.