‘Lion King’ star Imani Dia Smith stabbed to death at 25

A devastating tragedy has shaken the Broadway community following the violent death of former child performer Imani Dia Smith, best known for her role in Disney’s The Lion King.

The young actress was fatally stabbed in central New Jersey, and her boyfriend has now been charged with murder, authorities confirmed.

Imani Dia Smith, a 25-year-old mother of a 3-year-old baby, was discovered with multiple stab wounds during the early hours of Sunday, December 21.

First responders rushed her to a nearby hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead. Prosecutors later confirmed that the attack was not random, stating that Smith and the accused knew each other prior to the incident.

Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, was arrested shortly after the killing.

Law enforcement officials confirmed that he was Smith’s boyfriend, a detail also identified by her family on a GoFundMe page set up in her memory. 

Prosecutors charged Jackson-Small with first-degree murder, 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.

He is currently being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center while awaiting the outcome of a pre-trial detention hearing. Attorney details for Jackson-Small have not been made public.

Authorities revealed that police in Edison, New Jersey, responded to a 911 call and found Smith suffering from fatal stab wounds.

She was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where doctors were unable to save her.

Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Edison Police Chief Thomas Bryan later confirmed that Smith and Jackson-Small were acquainted, reinforcing that the killing stemmed from a personal connection.

Smith’s family has been left reeling by what they described as an unimaginable loss.

A GoFundMe campaign, which has raised over $61,000, was launched to cover funeral expenses, crime scene cleanup, trauma therapy, time away from work, and legal and administrative costs.

The fundraiser description states, "Imani had her whole life ahead of her. She was a vivacious, loving and fiercely talented person. A true triple-threat performer, she most notably played the role of Young Nala on Broadway in Disney’s Lion King, an experience that reflected the joy, creativity, and light she put into the world."

Her aunt, Kira Helper, also addressed the tragedy in a statement shared on the fundraising page, writing, "It is with a tragic and heavy heart that we share the loss of my niece, Imani Dia Smith, who was senselessly killed by her boyfriend on the morning of Sunday, December 21, just ahead of Christmas."

Imani is survived by her son, her parents Monique Rance-Helper and Rawni Helper, her aunt, and two younger siblings. Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the case to contact the Edison Police Department or the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office as the investigation continues.

The shocking loss of a former Broadway star has left many questions unanswered, as investigators piece together what led to the fatal encounter behind closed doors.