Imani Dia Smith, a 25-year-old Broadway performer best known for playing Young Nala in the stage production of The Lion King, was fatally stabbed at her home in Edison, New Jersey, authorities have confirmed.

Incident Details

According to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, police responded to a 911 call reporting a stabbing at a residence on Grove Avenue around 9:18 a.m. on December 21. Upon arrival, officers found Smith with stab wounds and immediately transported her to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Authorities identified Smith’s boyfriend, 35-year-old Jordan D. Jackson-Small, as the suspect. Prosecutors noted that the two were known to each other prior to the incident, indicating that the attack was not random.

Jackson-Small was arrested without incident following an initial investigation. He now faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and additional related charges. He is currently being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Centre pending a pre-trial detention hearing.

Community Mourns

Smith’s death has deeply affected family, friends, and the performing arts community. Her aunt, Kira Helper, shared the family’s grief on a GoFundMe page set up to support Smith’s surviving loved ones. The fundraiser had raised over $50,000 as of December 25.

“She leaves behind a 3-year-old son, her parents, two younger siblings, and an extended network of family, friends, and community who loved her dearly,” Helper wrote.

Experts in domestic violence stress that cases involving intimate partners often highlight warning signs that can be overlooked. According to Dr. Amanda Lewis, a sociologist specializing in family violence, “Incidents like this remind us of the urgent need for accessible resources and community awareness to prevent tragedies within homes.”

Smith’s untimely passing has left a void in both her family and the Broadway community, where she had been celebrated for her talent and vibrant presence on stage.