New Jersey Man Charged With Murder in Stabbing Death of Former ‘Lion King’ Broadway Actress Imani Dia Smith

A New Jersey man has been charged with murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of former Broadway child actress Imani Dia Smith, authorities announced this week.

Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, of Edison, was arrested without incident and charged 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, according to a Dec. 23 statement from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Prosecutors said Jackson-Small and Smith knew each other prior to the incident, noting that the killing was “not a random act of violence.”

Jackson-Small is currently being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center pending the outcome of a pretrial detention hearing. As with all criminal cases, officials emphasized that the charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Authorities were dispatched to a residence on Grove Avenue in Edison shortly after 9:18 a.m. on Dec. 21 following a 911 call reporting a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers found Smith, 26, suffering from stab wounds. She was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where she was pronounced dead, officials said.

The investigation is being led by detectives from the Edison Police Department and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and remains ongoing. Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information related to the case to come forward.

Smith was known to the theater community for her early work on Broadway, where she appeared as Young Nala in the Disney musical “The Lion King” during the 2011–2012 production season. Family members said her time on stage reflected her creative spirit and passion for performance.

Beyond her theatrical background, Smith was a mother to a three-year-old son and remained closely connected to her family. She is survived by her child, her parents, and two younger siblings.

In the days following her death, Smith’s aunt, Kira Helper, launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist the family with expenses and long-term needs. The fundraiser states that the funds will help cover funeral and memorial costs, trauma counseling for family members, legal and administrative expenses, and support for Smith’s young son as her parents assume responsibility for his care.

“Imani had her whole life ahead of her,” Helper wrote in the campaign description, describing her niece as “a vivacious, loving and fiercely talented person.”

The fundraiser also highlights the challenges now facing Smith’s parents as they grieve the sudden loss of their daughter while caring for their grandson. As of the latest update, the campaign has raised over $71,000 toward its stated goal.

“This week has been extremely difficult, but the kindness of our community has made things just a little bit easier,” an update message reads.

Helper also thanked the community for its generosity and said funeral arrangements had been finalized, calling the outpouring of support a source of comfort during an otherwise devastating time.

NTD Reporter Audrey Simons contributed to this report.