A disturbing new report has revealed that the step-granddaughter of award-winning actor Morgan Freeman was killed by her boyfriend early Sunday in an attempt at an exorcism carried out "in the name of Jesus Christ."
The New York Post first reported that 33-year-old E'Dena Hines, 33, whose grandmother was Freeman's first wife, was stabbed 16 times by Lamar Davenport near her apartment building in Manhattan just before 3 a.m.
According to George Hudacko, who witnessed the murder from his apartment and called 911, said that Davenport screamed "Get out, devils! I cast you out, devils! In the name of Jesus Christ, I cast you out!" as he attacked Hines.
"The girl was making a lot of noise, screaming," Hudacko told the Post, adding. "I called 911 - I was begging them to come."
Police officers reportedly had to physically restrain Davenport from further brutalizing Hines' lifeless body. A police source told the Post that the suspect "was still making a stabbing motion with his arm, but he had nothing in his fist - the knife was jutting out of her chest."
Davenport, 30, was charged with second-degree murder early Monday after he underwent a psychiatric evaluation at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, USA Today notes.
Prior to his arrest, Davenport was an aspiring rapper who performed under the name Lyric, police told the Post. He is the father of two young children and has "a history of abusing drugs and alcohol" and "six prior arrests, including for marijuana possession and petty larceny."
In turn, E'Dena Hines had reportedly studied acting at New York University and was involved with teaching urban youth.
On her blog, she wrote that her acting career had left her feeling "unfulfilled." According to the New York Times, her career on screen was mostly limited to small roles like the one in "5 Flights Up" and a turn as a rude barista in an episode of the ABC hidden-camera series "What Would You Do?"
However, she had recently landed a role in an independent film and moved from Memphis, Tennessee to New York.
"My dream has come true" and is just beginning, she wrote in July.
On Sunday, Freeman issued a statement grieving the loss of his granddaughter:"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."
In a later statement published on Facebook, he added: "I want to acknowledge the tremendous outpouring of love and support my family has received regarding the tragic and senseless passing of my granddaughter. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
