In very tragic news, E’Dena Hines, Morgan Freeman’s 33-year-old step-granddaughter, was found murdered outside her Harlem home early this morning. People reports that the aspiring actress was found with multiple stab wounds to her torso, and was pronounced dead at New York’s Harlem Hospital.
The New York Post reports that she was murdered by her “crazed” live-in boyfriend who stabbed E’Dena during an “exorcism.” George Hudacko, who witnessed the murder called 911, recounts the suspect chanting: “’Get out, devils! I cast you out, devils! In the name of Jesus Christ, I cast you out!’”
The suspect is currently at the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.
In a statement to People, Morgan Freeman declared: “The world will never know her artistry and talent, and how much she had to offer. 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.”
Morgan Freeman was especially close to E’Dena, and frequently brought her with him during red carpet appearances. As the granddaughter of his first wife Jeanette Adair Bradshaw, she was not related to Morgan by blood, which prompted many malicious news reports of their romantic engagement, which both parties have categorically denied.
A graduate of New York University’s prestigious Graduate Acting Program, E’Dena made an appearance in 5 Flights Up, which also starred Morgan Freeman, and two weeks, she just finished filming Landing Up, which is set for a 2016 release. She also taught “under-exposed youths” in Memphis, Tennessee.
The film’s director Daniel Tenenbaum told the New York Post, “We’re devastated. She was an amazing incredible, loving human being. She really touched every single person on set, crew and cast, and was such a vivid part of this whole experience. She was here, she was in our office a couple days ago and we sat and talked and filmed her.”
Photos courtesy of the Evening Standard and Celebitchy