Morgan Freeman’s step-granddaughter E’Dena Hines has been murdered near her New York home.

E’Dena Hines, 33, was found with multiple chest wounds outside her apartment on West 162nd Street on August 16.

She was taken away by ambulance, but pronounced dead at Harlem Hospital.

Lamar Davenport, 30, of New York City, was charged with second-degree murder on August 17.

Police say Lamar Davenport, who was in a relationship with E’Dena Hines, was taken into custody at the scene. He has also had a psychological evaluation at a hospital.

E’Dena Hines was the granddaughter of Morgan Freeman’s first wife – Jeanette Adair Bradshaw. Morgan Freeman and Jeanette Adair Bradshaw divorced in 1979.

Morgan Freeman always referred to E’Dena Hines as his granddaughter, according to his publicist.

The actor issued a statement saying: “The world will never know her artistry and talent, and how much she had to offer. Her star will continue to shine bright in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. May she rest in peace.”

E’Dena Hines had been trained as an actor and worked with young people.

“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,” Morgan Freeman wrote on Facebook.

In 2009, a tabloid newspaper claimed that Morgan Freeman and E’Dena Hines were to marry.

Morgan Freeman publically attacked the rumor as “defamatory fabrications from the tabloid media design[ed] to sell papers”.

E’Dena Hines also spoke out saying that “these stories about me and my grandfather are not only untrue, they are also very hurtful to me and my family”.