The step-granddaughter of award-winning actor Morgan Freeman was killed by her boyfriend early Sunday in a disturbed attempt at an exorcism, according to a published report.
The New York Post reported that Edena Hines, 33, — whose grandmother was Freeman’s first wife — was stabbed 16 times near her apartment building on West 162nd St. in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan just before 3 a.m.
Police charged 30-year-old Lamar Davenport with second-degree murder early Monday after he underwent a psychiatric evaluation at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital.
George Hudacko, who witnessed the murder from his third-floor 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."
The Post reported that police officers had to physically restrain Davenport from continuing his attack and 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 was described by law enforcement sources as an aspiring rapper who performed under the name Lyric. He is the father of two young children — neither with Hines — and has a history of abusing drugs and alcohol. He has six prior arrests, including for marijuana possession and petty larceny.
Ray Rosario, a musician and a friend of Hines, told The Daily Beast he had dinner with the couple and others on Saturday night before the murder.
"I’ve never seen Edena as happy as she was last night," Rosario said. "I’m still trying to come to grips with what happened ... I’m caught between the hate I have for [Davenport], my love for him being my brother, and my heart breaking for her."
Freeman issued a statement Sunday saying that "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."
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