Imani Dia Smith, the former child star who played Nala in Broadway’s “The Lion King,” was found fatally stabbed at a New Jersey residence on Dec. 21 and later died at a hospital, authorities said. 

The tragedy has left the theater community reeling and a young son without his mother over the holidays. Police arrested and charged Smith’s boyfriend, identified in court records as Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, with first-degree murder, child endangerment, and weapons offenses. According to authorities, the incident was not random and the investigation is ongoing. 

Smith — who performed as Young Nala on Broadway from 2011–2012 and was widely remembered for her early stage work — was praised by colleagues and fans after the news of her death spread. Broadway outlets and industry friends described her as a “vibrant” triple-threat performer whose career began when she was a child and who later continued acting into adulthood. 

Family members and supporters launched a GoFundMe (that has almost reached its $75K goal) to cover funeral costs, legal needs, and support for Smith’s three-year-old son. The page describes Smith as a devoted mom and a talented performer with “her whole life ahead of her.” The campaign has drawn significant community donations and condolences. 

According to reports, Smith’s mother, Monique Rance-Helper, a talented hair stylist who has worked for both the stage and the silver screen, has styled hair and wigs for “The Lion King” on Broadway, as well as hairpieces in the recent Broadway productions of “Eclipsed,” “Once On This Island,” “The Lightning Thief,” the “In the Heights” film, “POSE” on FX, and more. Imani Dia Smith was 25 years old; she is survived by her three-year-old son, her parents, and her two younger siblings. 

The Edison Police Department is encouraging anyone with information about Smith's death to call them at (732) 718-8064 or the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office at (732) 745-8083.