The Tragic Death of Imani Dia Smith: Broadway Child Star Fatally Stabbed in New Jersey
Imani Dia Smith, the former Broadway child actress best known for portraying Young Nala in Disney’s The Lion King, was fatally stabbed on December 21, 2025, at a residence in Edison, New Jersey. She was 26 years old.
Edison police responded to a 911 call reporting a stabbing at approximately 9:18 a.m. at a home on Grove Avenue. Officers found Smith suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where she was pronounced dead.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office announced on December 23, 2025, that Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, also of Edison, had been arrested in connection with the homicide. Authorities stated that Smith and Jackson-Small “knew each other prior to the incident,” confirming it was not a random act of violence. He was taken into custody without incident and charged with:
First-degree murder
Second-degree endangering the welfare of a child
Third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose
Fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon
Jackson-Small was held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center pending a pre-trial detention hearing. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Smith rose to prominence as a child performer, appearing as Young Nala in The Lion King on Broadway from September 27, 2011, to September 23, 2012. Her role in the long-running hit musical introduced her to audiences worldwide during her early years in the spotlight.
Family members described the loss as devastating. Smith’s aunt, Kira Helper, launched a GoFundMe campaign to support funeral costs and care for Smith’s surviving 3-year-old son. The page noted that Smith was killed by her boyfriend and emphasized that the young mother “had her whole life ahead of her.” Smith is also survived by her parents and siblings.
As of late April 2026, no further public updates on the case—such as trial proceedings or additional charges—have been widely reported. Prosecutors have not released details about the circumstances leading to the stabbing or the child’s presence at the scene, beyond the endangerment charge.
The death of Imani Dia Smith has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities faced by young performers and the broader issue of domestic violence. Tributes from the theater community and fans have highlighted her talent, warmth, and promise as both an artist and a mother. Her brief but memorable time on Broadway left a lasting impression on audiences who watched her bring the beloved character of Young Nala to life.
This remains an active criminal case, and Jackson-Small is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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