Imani Dia Smith Murdered; Boyfriend Charged

Imani Dia Smith, a 26-year-old former Broadway child star known for playing Young Nala in The Lion King (musical), was fatally stabbed on December 21 in United States — New Jersey. Police responded to a 911 call and found her with multiple stab wounds. She was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Her boyfriend, Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, was arrested without incident and charged by the United States — Middlesex County, New Jersey Prosecutor's Office with 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. Authorities confirmed that Imani Dia Smith and Jordan D. Jackson-Small knew each other, indicating it was not a random act of violence. A GoFundMe page has been set up by Imani Dia Smith's aunt to cover funeral costs and support her three-year-old son.