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Imani Dia Smith, a former child actor known for her role in "The Lion King" on Broadway, has passed away.
Authorities in Middlesex County, New Jersey, reported that police found her with stab wounds at a home in Edison on Sunday.
Medical professionals pronounced her dead at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital shortly after her arrival.
Imani Dia Smith was only twenty-six years old. She is most famous for playing Young Nala in the Broadway production from 2011 to 2012.
Following an investigation, police arrested 35-year-old Jordan D. Jackson-Small in connection with the stabbing.
Officials identified him as Smith's boyfriend. He now faces several serious charges, including first-degree murder and endangering the welfare of a child.
Police also charged him with unlawful possession of a weapon.
The news of her death has shocked the theater community and those who remember her talent as a young performer on one of the world's most famous stages.
Aside from her early career in theater, Imani Dia Smith was a dedicated mother.
She leaves behind a three-year-old son, and her family has started a GoFundMe page to help support the child and cover funeral expenses.
Supporters have used the page to share memories of the actress, describing her as a bright and kind individual.
The Edison Police Department and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office continue to investigate the details surrounding the incident.
The theater world has expressed deep sadness over the loss of a former member of the Broadway family. Playing a lead role in "The Lion King" as a child is a major achievement that few actors reach.
Her death serves as a tragic end to a life that showed so much early promise.
Friends and former colleagues have posted tributes online, offering their condolences to her family and her young son during this incredibly difficult holiday season.
