Imani Dia Smith, celebrated for her role as Young Nala in Broadway’s The Lion King, died tragically at 26 in an alleged homicide by stabbing in New Jersey. The former child actress leaves behind a three-year-old son, her parents, siblings, and a grieving theater community.​

Incident Details

On December 21, 2025, Edison police responded to a 911 call at a Grove Avenue residence around 9:15 a.m., finding Smith with multiple stab wounds. She was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital but pronounced dead there. Authorities confirmed the attack was not random, as Smith knew her accused attacker.​

Suspect Charged

Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, Smith’s boyfriend from Edison, faces first-degree murder, second-degree child endangerment, third-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree unlawful weapon possession. He remains held without bail at Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center, with his public defender yet to comment.​

Broadway Legacy

Smith shone as Young Nala in Disney’s The Lion King from 2011-2012, part of Broadway’s third-longest-running show. Her aunt, Kira Helper, launched a GoFundMe praising her as “vibrant, loving, and extraordinarily talented,” raising funds for funeral costs, legal fees, and her son’s care. Tributes poured in from fans and theater circles, mourning a bright talent cut short.