Imani Dia Smith, a one-time Broadway child actor known for her role in “The Lion King,” was tragically killed in a stabbing incident in Edison, New Jersey. Her boyfriend has been arrested and charged with murder related to her death.
Smith, 26, was discovered with stab wounds at a home on the morning of Dec. 21. She was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
Police arrested Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, without confrontation and charged him with several crimes related to Smith’s death. His charges include 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.
Smith and Jackson-Small were involved romantically and had a three-year-old son together. The investigators have confirmed that this was not a random act of violence.
Jackson-Small is currently held at the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center awaiting a pretrial detention hearing.
Smith depicted Young Nala in “The Lion King” on Broadway from September 27, 2011, to September 23, 2012. This role in the famed Disney musical was a notable highlight in her early acting career. Smith’s mother, a hair stylist for Broadway productions, played a vital role in connecting Smith to the world of theater from an early age.
Smith leaves behind her parents, Monique Rance-Helper and Rawni Helper, two younger siblings, and her toddler son who now faces life without his mother.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established by the family members to assist Smith’s relatives during this tough time. Smith’s aunt, Kira Helper, set up the fundraising page to aid the family with expenses and to support Smith’s parents in raising their grandson.
“Imani had her whole life ahead of her,” Smith’s aunt wrote. “She was a vivacious, loving and fiercely talented person.”
The fundraising campaign has received substantial support from the community, with donations exceeding $65,000 and still growing.
During her formative years, Smith’s brief but memorable tenure on Broadway came in one of the most successful theatrical productions in history, “The Lion King”. Her role as Young Nala put her in a special league of child actors who have performed on the Minskoff Theatre stage in the beloved production.
The charges against Jackson-Small indicate the grave nature of the crime. In New Jersey, first-degree murder is the most serious homicide charge. The additional charge of endangering the welfare of a child suggests that a minor was either present or affected by the events leading to Smith’s death. The weapons charges imply that investigators found evidence related to the stabbing at the Edison residence.
Edison, a community in Middlesex County located about 30 miles southwest of New York City, has been deeply affected by the loss of a former performer who once entertained Broadway audiences.
In the face of this tragedy, Smith’s family now confronts the difficult task of grieving while also preparing to raise her young son. The GoFundMe page describes the situation as “unimaginable” for Smith’s parents who now have to support not only their two younger children but also their grandson during this traumatic time. The funds raised will assist with funeral costs, counseling services, and provide financial stability as the family faces their new reality.
The theater community has lost a former member who represented the future of Broadway talent. Smith’s performance years spanned from 2011 to 2012, a time when she showcased her skills as a “true triple-threat performer” excelling in singing, dancing, and acting, as described by her family.
The legal process against Jackson-Small continues as he remains in custody at the correctional facility. The pretrial detention hearing will decide whether he stays detained without bail as the case progresses through the New Jersey court system.