The 33-year-old step-granddaughter of prominent actor Morgan Freeman was stabbed to death in New York City early Sunday -- eliciting substantial grief from the Oscar-winning performer.

The body of Edena Hines was discovered at about 3 a.m. local time Sunday, officials said, near her apartment on West 162nd Street in Manhattan. When police arrived, they observed multiple stab wounds to her chest, USA Today reported.

Hines was later pronounced dead at a hospital in Harlem. A 30-year-old man was reportedly arrested at the scene, but it wasn't immediately clear who the man is or whether he may have been involved in Hines' death.

Hines was studying acting at New York University, according to her official website.

"The world will never know her artistry and talent, and how much she had to offer," Freeman told USA Today Sunday. "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."

Later, he posted a statement on his Facebook page.

"I want to acknowledge the tremendous outpouring of love and support my family has received regarding the tragic and senseless passing of my granddaughter Edena Hines. Thank you from the bottom of my heart," the actor wrote.

"After three years studying at New York University's prestigious Graduate Acting Program, Edena joined the hoards of other bright eyed hopefuls looking for success in New York's acting scene. Finding a lack of opportunity she decided to turn her sights to teaching under-exposed youth in her native Memphis, TN," Hines' website states.

The site also includes a blog, which was last updated July 9. In the post, Hines wrote that three good words to describe her are, "energetic," "loud" and "animated."

The woman was a granddaughter of Freeman's first wife.