The Lion King star Imani Dia Smith stabbed to death at her New Jersey home on December 21, with her boyfriend Jordan D. Jackson‑Small arrested and charged with first‑degree murder and multiple related offences.
The Lion King star Imani Dia Smith stabbed to death: What police say
The Lion King star Imani Dia Smith stabbed to death was discovered with stab wounds at a residence on Grove Avenue in Edison after a 9:18 a.m. emergency call, and was pronounced dead at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
Prosecutors said the 35‑year‑old Jackson‑Small, who knew Smith and is the father of her 3‑year‑old son, was arrested without incident and faces charges including first‑degree murder, endangering the welfare of a child, and weapons offences; officials stressed it was not a random attack.
The Lion King star Imani Dia Smith stabbed to death: Legal status of the accused
Authorities confirmed that Jackson‑Small is being held at Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center pending a pre‑trial detention hearing, where a judge will decide if he remains in custody until trial.
The charges include second‑degree endangering the welfare of a child, third‑degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourth‑degree unlawful possession of a weapon, reflecting both the alleged violence and the presence of a minor.
Remembering a Broadway talent and young mother
Family members describe Smith, best known for playing Young Nala in Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway, as “a vivacious, loving and fiercely talented” triple‑threat performer whose stage work reflected the joy and light she brought to others.
She leaves behind her 3‑year‑old son, her parents, two younger siblings, and an extended community of friends and colleagues; her mother, a film‑industry hairdresser, was recently credited on The Housemaid.
Family fundraiser and how donations will be used
A GoFundMe campaign launched by Smith’s aunt, Kira Helper, had raised more than $50,000 by December 25 to support the family and cover urgent expenses.
Funds are earmarked for funeral and memorial costs, crime scene cleanup, trauma therapy, legal and administrative fees linked to the case, and ongoing care for Smith’s son and dog.
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