The Unseen Tragedy: 5 Shocking Details About E'dena Hines, Morgan Freeman's Granddaughter, And Her Killer's 20-Year Sentence

E'dena Hines' name remains a haunting echo in Hollywood, a tragic story that continues to resonate with the public, even in late 2025. Her life, marked by a promising acting career and a deep connection to one of cinema's most respected figures, Morgan Freeman, was brutally cut short in a shocking act of domestic violence that captivated and horrified the world.

This article provides the most current and comprehensive look at the life and death of E'dena Hines, focusing on the definitive legal outcome of the case that ensures her killer, Lamar Davenport, remains behind bars for decades. The details of her final moments and the subsequent trial reveal a devastating human tragedy far removed from the glamour of the silver screen.

E'dena Hines: A Complete Biographical Profile

E'dena Hines was an actress and writer whose life was closely intertwined with the family of legendary actor Morgan Freeman. Her professional aspirations and personal life were often overshadowed by the tragic circumstances of her death, but her legacy is one of a passionate artist.

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• Full Name: E'dena Hines
• Date of Birth: March 4, 1982
• Place of Birth: (Information not widely specified, but grew up in a high-profile family)
• Zodiac Sign: Pisces
• Date of Death: August 16, 2015
• Age at Death: 33
• Cause of Death: Fatal stabbing (25 wounds)
• Place of Death: Washington Heights, New York City (Outside her apartment on West 162nd Street)
• Occupation: Actress, Writer
• Family Connection to Morgan Freeman: Step-granddaughter. She was the daughter of Deena Adair, whom Morgan Freeman adopted during his first marriage.
• Grandmother: Jeanette Adair Bradshaw (Morgan Freeman's first wife, married 1967-1979)
• Notable Work: The film *Landing Up* (2018), which featured her final on-screen performance.

The Tragic Circumstances of Hines' Murder

The death of E'dena Hines was a shocking and brutal act of domestic violence that occurred in the early morning hours of August 16, 2015. She was killed outside her apartment building in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Upper Manhattan.

The Brutality of the Crime Scene

E'dena Hines was stabbed multiple times—a total of 25 wounds—by her live-in boyfriend, Lamar Davenport. The horrific incident was witnessed by neighbors who called 911. Reports from the scene indicated that Davenport was in an erratic, drug-induced state, reportedly under the influence of PCP, alcohol, and other substances. During the attack, he was heard shouting religious and demonic phrases, including invoking the devil, as he stabbed her repeatedly.

First responders rushed Hines to Harlem Hospital, but she was tragically pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The sheer violence of the attack left the community and the Freeman family reeling from the senseless loss of life.

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Lamar Davenport's Trial and 20-Year Sentence

The legal proceedings following the murder brought the case back into the public eye, culminating in a definitive sentence for Lamar Davenport. Davenport was charged with second-degree murder, and his trial revealed harrowing details about the couple's turbulent relationship and the killer's state of mind.

In 2017, a judge found Davenport guilty of manslaughter in the first degree. The conviction was a pivotal moment for the family seeking justice. In December 2018, Lamar Davenport was sentenced to 20 years in state prison. This substantial sentence provided a sense of closure to the legal chapter of the tragedy, ensuring the perpetrator would be held accountable for his violent actions for a long duration.

The trial also brought forth a highly controversial and unsubstantiated claim by Davenport's defense attorney, who suggested that E'dena Hines had disclosed a relationship with Morgan Freeman. Freeman vehemently denied these claims, which were largely dismissed as an attempt by the defense to distract from the facts of the murder case.

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E'dena Hines' Enduring Legacy in Hollywood and Beyond

Beyond the tragic headlines, E'dena Hines was an aspiring actress and a dedicated artist. Her work, though brief, showcased a commitment to her craft that her family and friends remembered fondly.

A Career Cut Short: The Filmography

Hines was an active member of the New York acting community, having studied at the prestigious New York University's Graduate Acting Program. Her final on-screen performance was in the independent film *Landing Up*, released posthumously in 2018. The film's director, Dani Tenenbaum, and her co-stars paid tribute to her "raw and magnetic" talent, highlighting the potential that was lost.

She also appeared in a number of other projects, including the 2011 film *Molly's World* and the 2014 short film *A-Train*. Her commitment to the arts was a clear passion, one she briefly gave up out of frustration before returning to it with renewed vigor, only for her life to be tragically ended.

Morgan Freeman's Heartfelt Memorial

Morgan Freeman, who considered E'dena Hines his granddaughter, released a deeply personal and emotional statement following her death. He described her as "one of the best people you’ll ever know" and a bright, talented individual whose passing was a devastating loss to the world. His public grief underscored the profound impact she had on her family and those close to her. The family's public mourning and the subsequent focus on the trial served as a high-profile reminder of the pervasive issue of domestic violence and the devastating consequences of substance abuse.

The story of E'dena Hines continues to be a cautionary tale, a reminder that tragedy can strike anyone, regardless of their family connections. Her memory is preserved through her artistic work and the painful, public fight for justice that followed her brutal murder at the hands of Lamar Davenport.