Lion King Child Actress Imani Smith Dies After Stabbing

Former child actress who played Young Nala in Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway, Imani Smith has died after being stabbed on December 21.

In a press release, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office announced Ms Smith died of stab wounds, adding her boyfriend, Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, has been arrested.

“On December 21, 2025, at 9:18 a.m., authorities received a 911 call reporting a stabbing. Upon their arrival to a residence on Grove Avenue, they discovered Imani Smith, 26, of Edison with stab wounds,” the statement said.

It added, “Smith was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital where she was ultimately pronounced deceased.”

The prosecutor said Ms Smith’s boyfriend has been charged with murder and other counts.

“Mr Jordan has been 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,” the statement said.