Imani Dia Smith, a former child actor best known for her role in Broadway’s “The Lion King,” was tragically stabbed to death in Edison, New Jersey. Her boyfriend is currently under arrest, facing charges related to her murder.
Smith, 26, was found seriously wounded from stab injuries in a residence on the morning of Sunday, December 21, 2025. She was immediately taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where she eventually succumbed to her injuries.
Jordan D. Jackson-Small, aged 35, was arrested without incident and charged in connection with Smith’s death. His charges span from first-degree murder to fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon. He was also charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
Smith and Jackson-Small were in a relationship and had a three-year-old son. The investigating team has ruled out random violence as the cause of this tragic incident.
Jackson-Small has since been transferred to the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center, where he awaits his pretrial detention hearing.
Smith had a notable role in “The Lion King,” playing Young Nala from September 27, 2011, to September 23, 2012. Her mother, a hairstylist for Broadway productions, introduced Smith to the theater industry at an early age.
Smith leaves behind her parents, Monique Rance-Helper and Rawni Helper, two younger siblings, and her three-year-old son, who now faces life without his mother.
Smith’s relatives have launched a GoFundMe campaign to aid them during this difficult time. Smith’s aunt, Kira Helper, started the fundraiser to help cover costs and support Smith’s parents as they now shoulder the responsibility of raising their grandson. “Imani had her whole life ahead of her,” she wrote. “She was a vivacious, loving, and fiercely talented person.”
The fundraiser has garnered significant community support, raising over $79,000, with donations still being accepted. The funds will be allocated towards funeral expenses, cleaning the crime scene, family therapy, legal fees, and ongoing care for Smith’s son and her pet dog.
The charges against Jackson-Small highlight the severity of the crime. In New Jersey, first-degree murder is the most serious type of homicide charge. The weapons charges indicate that evidence related to the stabbing was recovered at the Edison residence.
The community of Edison, located approximately 30 miles southwest of New York City, is grieving the loss of a local who once graced the Broadway stage.
Smith’s stint in “The Lion King” from 2011 to 2012 showcased her talent as a “true triple-threat performer,” excelling in singing, dancing, and acting, according to her family.
Jackson-Small is currently in custody at the corrections facility. The pretrial detention hearing will decide whether he will remain in detention without bail as the case progresses through the New Jersey court system.