“Smith was found Sunday at a house in Edison, N.J. with stab wounds, according to a press release issued by Middlesex County, New Jersey.”, — write: www.dailymail.co.uk
Lion King stage actress Imani Dia Smith lost her life after being stabbed to death, according to a Wednesday report from TMZ.
The 25-year-old thespian was found Sunday at a house in Edison, New Jersey, according to a press release issued by Middlesex County, New Jersey, prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Edison Police Department chief Thomas Bryan and seen by the site.
The performer had stab wounds on her body, it was also shared by the prosecutor and police chief.
An ambulance was allegedly called to the house and here was an attempt to save her life, but she was reportedly pronounced dead at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.
The press release says that Smith’s boyfriend, Jordan D. Jackson-Small, was arrested and charged ‘in connection with the stabbing death,’ the site added.
Daily Mail has reached out to Smith’s agent as well as Middlesex County, New Jersey, prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Edison Police Department chief Thomas Bryan for comment.
Small, 35, has already been charged, it was claimed.
He was reportedly 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.
According to Playbill, Smith played Young Nala in The Lion King from September 27, 2011, to September 23, 2012.
She has a son who is only three-years-old.
A GoFundMe has been set up for the family. The page went into more detail as her aunt named the boyfriend as the killer.
‘It is with a tragic and heavy heart that we share the loss of my niece, Imani Dia Smith, who was senselessly killed by her boyfriend on the morning of Sunday, December 21st, just ahead of Christmas,’ the page shared.
‘Imani was only 25 years old. She leaves behind a 3-year-old son, her parents, her two younger siblings, and an extended family, friends, and community who loved her so very much.
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.
The GoFundMe was organized to support Imani’s parents, Monique Rance-Helper and Rawni Helper, ‘who are now facing the unimaginable: grieving their daughter while stepping in to raise her young son and support their two other children during this traumatic time,’ the page also read.
The funds raised will help cover the many immediate and ongoing expenses that come with a tragedy of this magnitude, including: Funeral and memorial expenses, Crime scene cleanup at Imani’s home, Trauma therapy for Imani’s son, siblings, and parents, Time off from work to grieve, provide care, and attend legal proceedings, Legal and administrative costs, Ongoing support and care for Imani’s son, Care for Imani’s beloved dog, Kuro.’