Former Broadway actress 26-year-old Imani Smith was found stabbed to death in a New Jersey home, according to authorities.
Smith previously starred as Young Nala in the Broadway production of “The Lion King.”
Her boyfriend, Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, of Edison, was arrested and charged in connection with her murder.
Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Thomas Bryan of the Edison Police Department shared the news on Tuesday. They said Smith was killed two days prior.
In a joint news release, Ciccone and Bryan said authorities received a 911 call reporting a stabbing on December 21 shortly after 9:15 a.m. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Smith suffering from multiple stab wounds.
Smith was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Ciccone and Bryan said Jackson-Small was arrested and charged with the following:
- First-degree murder
- Second-degree endangering the welfare of a child
- Third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose
- Fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon
Ciccone and Bryan said Jackson-Small is being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center pending the results of a pre-trial detention hearing.
Smith’s loved ones set up an GoFundMe account to help her parents with her funeral, among other costs, including “crime scene cleanup at Imani’s home.” As of Saturday morning, more than $70,000 was raised.
The GoFundMe noted that Smith had a 3-year-old son, as well as a family “who loved her so very much.”
“Imani had her whole life ahead of her,” according to the GoFunMe. “She was a vivacious, loving and fiercely talented person. A true triple-threat performer, she most notably played the role of Young Nala on Broadway in Disney’s Lion King — an experience that reflected the joy, creativity, and light she put into the world.”Comment with Bubbles
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The investigation into her death is ongoing, Ciccone and Bryan said. They urged anyone who has information about the murder to call Detective Kirsh of the Edison Police Department at 732-718-8064 or Detective Ankudowicz of the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office at 732-745- 8083.
