IMANI SMITH, a former child actor who portrayed Young Nala in Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway more than a decade ago, was fatally stabbed in New Jersey, authorities said.
Smith, twenty six, died after being found with stab wounds inside a residence in Edison on Dec. twenty one. Her boyfriend has been charged with first degree murder, prosecutors said.
Police responded to a nine one one call shortly after midnight and discovered Smith suffering from multiple stab wounds, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
She was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Jordan D. Jackson Small, thirty five, was arrested without incident and charged in connection with the killing.
Smith performed as Young Nala in The Lion King on Broadway from twenty eleven to twenty twelve, appearing in one of the most successful stage productions in theater history.
After leaving the show, she largely stepped away from public performance, according to family members. Prosecutors said Smith and Jackson Small knew each other prior to the incident and emphasized that the stabbing was not a random act of violence.
Smith’s aunt, Kira Helper, identified Jackson Small as Smith’s boyfriend in a GoFundMe post created to support the family.
Jackson Small 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 fourth degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
Authorities have not released details about the weapon used or the circumstances that led to the confrontation. Domestic violence experts say cases involving intimate partners often escalate quickly and unpredictably.
“Fatal incidents frequently follow a pattern of prior conflict that may not be visible to outsiders,” said Dr. Elaine Morris, a criminologist who studies intimate partner violence.
“When children are present, the consequences ripple far beyond the immediate tragedy.”
Legal analysts noted that the first degree murder charge suggests prosecutors believe the killing involved intentional conduct under New Jersey law.
“A first degree charge indicates the state will likely argue purposeful or knowing behavior,” said former state prosecutor Daniel Ruiz. “That carries the most severe potential penalties.”
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of female homicide victims in the United States are killed by a current or former intimate partner.
New Jersey mirrors national trends, with domestic incidents accounting for a significant portion of violent crime investigations each year.
Advocates say high profile cases like the Imani Smith death often bring renewed attention to warning signs and gaps in prevention, though most victims are not public figures.
Neighbors in Edison described a quiet residential area shaken by the incident.
“This is a peaceful block. You don’t expect something like this to happen here,” said Maria Alvarez, who lives nearby.
“Everyone is thinking about the child left behind.” The Broadway community also reacted with grief. A former castmate, who requested privacy, said Smith was remembered as “kind, disciplined and proud to be part of a show that meant so much to families.”
“She was just a kid when she stepped onto that stage,” the castmate said. “It’s heartbreaking to know her life ended this way.”
Jackson Small is expected to make an initial court appearance in the coming days. Prosecutors said additional details may be released as the investigation continues.
Smith’s family has raised nearly forty seven thousand dollars toward a fifty five thousand dollar goal to support her parents, who are now caring for her three year old son and two younger siblings.
Court proceedings are likely to extend well into the coming year. The Imani Smith death has drawn attention to the lasting impact of domestic violence and the loss of a former child performer whose life extended beyond the spotlight.
Authorities continue to investigate while the legal process moves forward. Smith is survived by her young son, her parents, an aunt and two siblings, according to family statements.
