A rising star from one of Broadway's most beloved musicals has met a tragic and violent end. Imani Dia Smith, who performed as young Nala in Disney's *The Lion King* on Broadway, was found stabbed to death in her New Jersey home. She was 25 years old.
From the Stage to a Crime Scene
The promising actress's life was cut short on the morning of December 21st. Police in Edison, New Jersey, responded to a 911 call at her Grove Avenue residence, where they discovered Smith suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Authorities quickly identified the attack as targeted, not random. "Smith and Jackson-Small knew each other before the incident," the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office stated. Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, described as Smith's boyfriend, was arrested without incident at the scene.
Charges and an Ongoing Investigation
Jackson-Small now faces serious charges, including first-degree murder and endangering the welfare of a child—a reference to the couple's three-year-old daughter, who was reportedly present in the home during the attack. He is also charged with weapons offenses. Prosecutors indicate the violence stemmed from an argument that escalated fatally. Jackson-Small is currently being held pending a detention hearing.
A Family's Grief and a Community's Support
The devastating loss has shattered Smith's family, which includes her parents, Monique Rance-Helper and Rawni Helper, two younger siblings, and her young daughter. Her aunt launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the family with funeral costs, crime scene cleanup, and care for her child. The campaign describes Smith as having been "senselessly killed" and highlights the profound trauma left behind.
**Remembering a "Triple-Threat" Talent**
Beyond the tragedy, Smith is remembered for her bright talent and professional achievement. As a child, she performed as young Nala in the Broadway production of The Lion King from 2011 to 2012, embodying the future queen of Pride Rock. Her family remembered her as "a true triple-threat performer" who brought "joy, creativity, and light" to the world.
The Broadway community and her fans are mourning the loss of a young life filled with potential, now the subject of a heartbreaking criminal investigation just days before Christmas.
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