Two-and-a-half years after tragedy hit Jennifer Hudson's family, the singer sat down with Oprah Winfrey to speak out about the murders of her mother, brother and nephew.

It's such a shocking thing and it's a lot to take in. It's like, okay, is this real? Did this really happen? she told Oprah. It's hard to put in sync with reality.

Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson and her brother, Jason Hudson were found dead on Oct. 24, 2008 inside the home they shared with Jennifer's sister, Julia Hudson in Chicago. Three days later, Hudson's nephew, Julian King, was found dead in the back seat of Jason's SUV. All three victims suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

Julia Hudson's estranged husband, William Balfour, was arrested and charged with the killings.

It's a very emotional subject. [I got through it] because of my family, my baby and God, Hudson said. I keep holding onto things that they taught us. My mother and even my brother -- I can hear him saying to me, 'just knock it off.'

Hudson and her fiancé welcomed their son David in August 2009. Hudson also spoke out about her dramatic weight loss and her new single from her upcoming album, I Remember Me, which will be released in March.

The only thing I can do to honor their memory is to make them proud, she said. I keep thinking, 'Would my mother like this or that, would she want this?'

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