MORGAN Freeman’s step-granddaughter was stabbed to death as she walked along a street in New York on Sunday.
E’Dena Hines, who had a close relationship with the actor, was found by police as a man thought to be her ex-boyfriend stood screaming over her body.
The 33-year-old suffered multiple stab wounds to her torso in the attack in the early hours outside a building in the city’s Washington Heights area.
She was taken to hospital but pronounced dead soon afterwards.
Police arrested a suspect at the scene, where a bloody knife was recovered, before taking him to hospital for a medical evaluation.
Freeman, who was once forced to deny a romantic relationship with Miss Hines, paid tribute to her in a statement.
"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."
Miss 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.
On her personal website, Miss Hines described herself as an actress and writer studying drama in New York.
She had previously done youth work in her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee.
Miss Hines had spoken of her excitement at landing a role in indie film Landing Up, which began shooting in June.
“My dream has come true and it’s just beginning,” she wrote in a blog post in July.
In 1996, she played a maid in the film Moll Flanders in which Freeman starred.
It was not knownon Sunday night whether the arrested man will face any charges.
Daily Mail