NEW YORK - Police have arrested a 30-year-old man in connection with the fatal stabbing of actor Morgan Freeman’s step-granddaughter on a Manhattan street.
Lamar Davenport, of New York City, was charged with second-degree murder on Monday, a day after 33-year-old E’dena Hines was found lying on the street with multiple stab wounds to the chest.
Police say that Davenport was in a relationship with Hines. She was found in front of her apartment building on West 162nd Street and was pronounced dead at Harlem Hospital.
Freeman issued a statement saying: “The world will never know her artistry in talent and how much she had to offer,” he said. “Her friends and family were fortunate enough to have known what she meant as a person. Her star will continue to shine bright in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. May she rest in peace.”
Hines, an aspiring actress, was the granddaughter of Freeman’s first wife Jeanette Adair Bradshaw, whom he divorced in 1979.
Despite the fact they were not blood relatives, Freeman, 78, maintained a fond relationship with his step-granddaughter and was often seen with her at Hollywood events.
In 2012, Freeman was forced to dispel rumours that he planned on marrying Miss Hines and that they had been in a relationship for ten years.
He said: “The recent reports of any pending marriage or romantic relationship of me to anyone are defamatory fabrications from the tabloid media designed to sell papers.
“What is even more alarming is that these fabrications are now being picked up by the legitimate Press as well.”
His step-granddaughter also issued a statement declaring that the rumours were untrue.
AP and Daily Mail