Former Broadway child star Imani Dia Smith, best known for her role as Young Nala in The Lion King, was fatally stabbed inside her New Jersey home on December 21, 2025, authorities confirmed. She was 25 years old.
Police and emergency responders were called to a residence in Edison, Middlesex County, early that Sunday morning after a 911 report of a stabbing. Smith was found with multiple stab wounds and rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where she was pronounced dead.
Boyfriend Arrested and Charged
Shortly after the incident, 35-year-old Jordan D. Jackson-Small, identified by prosecutors as Smith’s boyfriend, was taken into custody without incident and has since been charged with first-degree murder, as well as additional counts including endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful weapons possession, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Officials have stated that Smith and Jackson-Small were known to each other before the attack, and preliminary investigation suggests the killing was not a random act of violence. At this stage, prosecutors have not publicly disclosed a motive.
Remembering a Talented Performer and Loving Mother
Smith first gained recognition as a child performer in Broadway’s The Lion King, portraying Young Nala in the acclaimed musical from 2011 to 2012.
She is survived by her three-year-old son, her parents, and her siblings. Family, friends, and fans have expressed shock and sorrow over the loss of a young artist described as “vivacious, loving and fiercely talented.”
In the wake of her death, Smith’s aunt started a GoFundMe campaign to help support funeral arrangements, family needs, and the care of her young son. Many in the theatre community and beyond have rallied to offer support and condolences.
Ongoing Legal Process
Jackson-Small remains in custody at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center awaiting further court proceedings. A pre-trial detention hearing is expected, and prosecutors have indicated they will present additional evidence as the case moves forward.
