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Imani Smith, who performed in broadway production of “lion king,” Was fatally stabbed In new JerseyAccording to the police.
On December 21, police in Edison, New Jersey, responded to a 911 call for a report of a stabbing around 9:18 a.m., authorities said. When police arrived at the scene, they found Smith suffering from stab wounds.
Smith was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police investigated the stabbing and eventually arrested and charged 35-year-old Jordan D. Jackson Smalls. first degree murdersecond-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.
According to a statement written by Smith’s aunt GoFundMe campaignSmith and Small were dating.
Smalls is currently being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Facility.
Investigators have not publicly shared a motive for the alleged murder.
“Imani had her whole life ahead of her,” her aunt wrote of the fundraising. “She was a vibrant, loving and immensely talented individual. A true triple-threat performer, she most notably played Young Nala in Disney’s ‘Lion King’ on Broadway – an experience that reflected the joy, creativity and light she brought to the world.”
The money from the GoFundMe will cover the costs of Smith’s funeral and memorial, house cleaning, trauma therapy for her family, legal fees related to the investigation, and the care of Smith’s 3-year-old son and her dog.
“Our hope is that these funds will give Imani’s parents the ability to focus on what matters most: grieving their daughter, caring for their grandchildren, and helping their children heal — without the added fear of financial instability,” the GoFundMe reads.
According to Playbill, Smith played young Nala in the Broadway version of “The Lion King” from September 27, 2011 to September 23, 2012.
The actor is survived by his 3-year-old son, his parents and two siblings.