Our prayers to the family!
A 35-year-old Edison man has been arrested and charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of a former Broadway performer on Sunday morning, authorities announced.
Jordan D. Jackson-Small is facing charges of first-degree murder and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child following the death of 26-year-old Imani Dia Smith. The incident occurred just days before Christmas at a residence on Grove Avenue. The second-degree endangering charge reflects the grim reality that Smith’s 3-year-old son was likely present during the violent encounter.
Domestic Violence Investigation
An initial investigation led by Detective Kevin Kirsh of the Edison Police Department and Detective Olivia Ankudowicz of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office identified Jackson-Small as the suspect. Officials confirmed that the victim and the defendant knew each other before the incident; the family has since identified Jackson-Small as Smith’s boyfriend.
In addition to murder and child endangerment, Jackson-Small is charged with third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon. He is currently being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center pending a pre-trial detention hearing.
A Legacy on the Stage
The loss has sent shockwaves through the performing arts community. Smith was a gifted artist who achieved professional success at an early age, most notably as Young Nala in the Broadway production of Disney’s The Lion King. Her portrayal was a cornerstone of her early career, a role that required both immense technical discipline and a natural charisma that family members say she carried into every aspect of her life.
Her family described her as a “true triple-threat performer” whose creativity and joy left a lasting impact on those around her. She leaves behind a 3-year-old son, her parents, and two younger siblings.
“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 The Lion King — an experience that reflected the joy, creativity, and light she put into the world,” her aunt, Kira Helper, wrote on the GoFundMe page for her fallen niece. “She was a vivacious, loving, and fiercely talented person.”
Support for the Family
The family noted the particular hardship faced by Smith’s mother, a Broadway and film hairdresser, whose freelance income is significantly impacted by the time required for bereavement and administrative tasks. The fund is also intended to secure long-term support for Smith’s son and the family’s two younger children.
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Source: Black Enterprise
