NEW YORK—Actor Morgan Freeman is mourning the death of his step-granddaughter E’dena Hines, 33, who was stabbed to death on Sunday, August 16 in New York City. While details on Hines’ death are still being investigated, it is being reported by New York City Police Department that Hines was attacked by her boyfriend, Lamar Davenport, according to TMZ.

Hines was spotted laying on the street outside her Washington Heights apartment building, where she was seen bearing multiple stab wounds on her body. Police were called at around 2:45 a.m.

According to police and at least one witness, an unknown man, suspected to be Davenport, was seen kneeling over Hines and uttering a string of religious statements, including a declaration for the “devils” inside her to leave her body.

Hines is seen here accompanying Freeman to the 2005 Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills.
Hines is seen here accompanying Freeman to the 2005 Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills.

Hines was then rushed to Harlem Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Davenport was taken into custody and is being kept at New York Presbyterian-Columbia University Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation. TMZ reported that Davenport was charged on Monday, August 17, with second-degree murder.

“The world will never know her artistry and talent, and how much she had to offer,” said Morgan Freeman in a public statement. “Her star will continue to shine bright in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.”

Hines was the granddaughter of Freeman’s first wife, Jeanette Adair Bradshaw, to whom he was married from 1967 to 1979.

Freeman and Hines were known to share a close relationship. Hines accompanied Freeman on a number of red carpet events, including the 2005 Golden Globe Awards.

Hines was a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. She was working as an actress at the time of her death, recently appearing in a small role in Freeman’s 2014 film, “5 Flights Up.” She is said to have booked a larger role in the upcoming film “Landing Up,” which began filming last month.

Funeral plans for Hines have yet to be announced.