Former Lion King child star Imani Dia Smith dies at 25; boyfriend charged with murder
Former Lion King child star Imani Dia Smith dies at 25; boyfriend charged with murder
Former Lion King child actress Imani Dia Smith dies at 25 after a stabbing in Edison, New Jersey; her boyfriend is charged with murder as a GoFundMe effort supports her family.
Imani Dia Smith, 25, a former Broadway child actress who played Young Nala in Disney's The Lion King, has died after a stabbing in Edison, New Jersey. Police say she was found with stab wounds on Dec. 21 and was pronounced dead after being transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.
A GoFundMe page set up by her aunt, Kira Helper, has already raised more than 46,000 to help Smith's family with funeral and memorial expenses, crime scene cleanup, trauma therapy, legal and administrative costs, and care for Smith's 3-year-old son and their dog.
Authorities say her boyfriend, 35-year-old Jordan D. Jackson-Small, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, as well as 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, according to prosecutors.
Imani Dia Smith leaves behind a close-knit family, friends, and a community that admired her vivacious and talented performances. The GoFundMe description notes that she had her whole life ahead of her, and supporters are rallying to assist her family during this difficult time.
The case remains under investigation as prosecutors and Edison police continue to review the circumstances surrounding the incident and prepare updates for the public.
