US Edition‘Lion King’ Child Star Imani Smith Killed; Boyfriend Charged in Death
Jordan D. Jackson-Small faces first-degree murder and child endangerment charges after stabbing former Broadway actress Imani Dia Smith, who is survived by her 3-year-old son, officials said.
- On Dec. 21, Imani Dia Smith, 25, was found with stab wounds in Edison, New Jersey, and later pronounced dead at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Brunswick; her boyfriend Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, was charged in connection with her death.
- Middlesex County prosecutors said the preliminary probe found the incident was not random and Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, pleaded guilty in June 2024 to aggravated assault from a Dec. 21, 2023, domestic incident.
- Police answered a 911 call and discovered Smith with stab wounds at her Grove Avenue residence, then transported her to the hospital; Jackson-Small faces first-degree murder and multiple related weapon and child-welfare charges.
- Kira Helper launched a GoFundMe to cover funeral, therapy, cleanup and care costs, raising more than $46,000 from 609 donations toward a $55,000 goal to support Monique Rance-Helper, Rawni Helper, and Imani's 3-year-old son.
- Aunt Kira Helper wrote `She leaves behind a 3-year-old son, her parents, her two younger siblings, and an extended family, friends, and community who loved her so very much`. Family and community described Imani Dia Smith as a triple-threat who notably played Young Nala on Broadway.
238 Articles
238 Articles
Imani Smith, who played the young Nala in Disney’s “Leon King” on Broadway, died on Sunday after being found with stab wounds in a house, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, New Jersey. He had his whole life ahead of him, according to a GoFundMe account created by Smith’s aunt, Kira Helper. “He was a lively, loving and immensely talented person.” On December 21, shortly after 9:15 a.m., the authorities in Edison, New Jersey, r…
News 4 San Antonio
Former Broadway star found stabbed to death in New Jersey home: authorities
Former Broadway star 26-year-old Imani Smith was found stabbed to death in a New Jersey home, according to authorities.
Former 'The Lion King' star Imani Dia Smith stabbed to death
Tributes continue to pour in for Imani Dia Smith, who played Young Nala in Broadway’s The Lion King. The 25-year-old was stabbed to death on 21 December 2021 in New Jersey, in the United States. According to her family statement, Smith was killed by her boyfriend, 35-year-old Jordan D. Jackson-Small. He has since been arrested and charged with murder. New Jersey police said the killing was not a random act of violence. “Smith and Jackson-Small k…
'Lion King' Broadway star Imani Dia Smith stabbed to death, boyfriend arrested
Imani Dia Smith, the woman who starred as young Nala in Broadway’s The Lion King as a child, was stabbed and killed this past weekend. Edison, New Jersey, police officers were called to a home on Sunday morning in response to a report of a stabbing and discovered the 26-year-old. According to NBC News, Smith was taken to a hospital where she was later pronounced dead. “Imani had her whole life ahead of her,” her aunt wrote. “She was a vivacious,…
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