Tributes continue to pour in for Imani Dia Smith, the former Broadway actress best known for her role as Young Nala in Disney’s The Lion King, following her fatal stabbing in New Jersey on December 21 2025.
The 25-year-old’s death has sparked widespread shock and reflection on violence against women, even as friends, fans, and former colleagues celebrate her life and legacy.
Smith was reportedly found with multiple stab wounds in her home in Edison, New Jersey, and was later pronounced dead at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Authorities have arrested 35-year-old Jordan D. Jackson-Small, charging him with first-degree murder, endangering the welfare of a child, and multiple weapons offences; police have stated the attack was not a random act of violence.
Her passing came just days before Christmas, compounding the grief of her family and loved ones. Smith leaves behind her three-year-old son, parents, two younger siblings, extended family and a community of supporters who have taken to social media to express their sorrow and remember her vibrant spirit.
Smith first gained public attention as a child performer, portraying Young Nala on Broadway in The Lion King from 2011 to 2012, a role that showcased her stage presence and talent early in life.
Family members and well-wishers describe her as “vivacious, loving and fiercely talented,” with the Lion King production reflecting “the joy, creativity, and light she put into the world.”
In the wake of her death, her aunt Kira Helper launched a GoFundMe campaign to support funeral costs, trauma therapy for her son and family, legal expenses and care for Smith’s pet dog, Kuro. The fundraiser has raised tens of thousands of dollars as supporters rally to assist the bereaved family.
