A young actress was stabbed to death and discovered on 21 December as a man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder following the harrowing incident
A former child star has been fatally stabbed to death just days before Christmas. Imani Dia Smith, 26, was murdered at her New Jersey home after her body was found at the property on December 21. The performer, who starred in The Lion King on Broadway, was discovered with stab wounds and declared dead on arrival at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital.
A press release from Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in relation to the killing, reports the Mirror.
The County Sheriff’s Office announced: “Initial investigation led by Detective Kevin Kirsh of the Edison Police Department and Detective Olivia Ankudowicz of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, led to the arrest of Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, of Edison. Moreover, Smith and Jackson-Small knew each other prior to the incident, thus it was not a random act of violence.”
“Jackson-Small 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. Jackson-Small is being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Centre pending the results of his Pre-Trial detention hearing.”
They added that since it is an active and ongoing investigation, they were encouraging anyone with information to call the Edison Police Department or the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Finally, they emphasised that as of yet, the charges brought against Jackson-Small are “allegations”. They explained: “As with all criminal defendants, the charges against Jackson-Small are just allegations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”
Smith played Young Nala in The Lion King from 2011 to 2012. She is survived by a three year old son. Following her death, Imani’s aunt set up a GoFundMe to raise money to cover funeral costs and therapy for her son. The page has so far raised over $48,000 out of its $55,000 goal.
In the description of the GoFundMe, her aunt claimed that Jackson-Small was Smith’s boyfriend. Kira Helper, Smith’s aunt, also said: “Imani had her whole life ahead of her. 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.”
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