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Coverage dated December 24, 2025 to December 26, 2025

Former ‘The Lion King’ on Broadway child actress killed in New Jersey stabbing

Headline from Local News 8

By Michelle Watson, CNN (CNN) — Imani Smith, who once played a young Nala in Disney’s “The Lion King” on Broadway, died on Sunday after she was found with stab wounds at a home, according to the Middlesex County, New Jersey, Prosecutor’s Office.

Local News 8's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

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Reports & sources

17 articles, oldest first.

  1. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

    Woman who starred in ‘Lion King’ on Broadway as a child is killed in stabbing, officials say (opens NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth)

    Published

    NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth's feed description

    The family of Imani Dia Smith, 26, who starred in "The Lion King" on Broadway as a child, said she was stabbed to death by her boyfriend.

  2. Variety

    Imani Smith, Former ‘Lion King’ Child Star, Killed at 25; Boyfriend Charged With Murder (opens Variety)

    Published

    Variety's feed description

    Imani Smith, who starred in "The Lion King" on Broadway, died at 25. Her boyfriend has been charged with murder.

  3. The Hollywood Reporter

    Imani Smith, Former ‘Lion King’ Broadway Actress, Dies in Alleged Homicide (opens The Hollywood Reporter)

    Published

    The Hollywood Reporter's feed description

    Imani Smith, the former child actor who starred in Broadway's 'The Lion King,' has died in an alleged homicide. She was 26.

  4. CBS News

    Broadway actress Imani Smith stabbed to death in New Jersey, police say (opens CBS News)

    Published

    CBS News's feed description

    Smith previously played young Nala in "The Lion King" on Broadway.

  5. Black Enterprise

    Former 'Lion King' Child Star Fatally Stabbed, New Jersey Man Arrested (opens Black Enterprise)

    Published

    Black Enterprise's feed description

    Edison police arrested Jordan Jackson-Small for the fatal stabbing of Imani Smith, a former "Lion King" Broadway actress and mother of a young son.

  6. Foxla

    Imani Dia Smith: Former 'Lion King' Broadway star killed in stabbing, officials say (opens Foxla)

    Published

    Foxla's feed description

    Her ex-partner, 35-year-old Jordan D. Jackson-Small, was arrested and charged with murder, authorities said.

  7. Fox News

    Former Broadway actress stabbed to death in her New Jersey home, police say (opens Fox News)

    Published

    Fox News's feed description

    Imani Dia Smith, a former Broadway actor known for "The Lion King," was stabbed to death. Her boyfriend, Jordan D. Jackson-Small, was charged with murder.

  8. AL.com

    Former ‘Lion King’ Broadway actress dead at age 26 following New Jersey stabbing (opens AL.com)

    Published

    AL.com's feed description

    Imani Dia Smith was found dead in her New Jersey home on Sunday. Arrested was 35-year-old Jordan Jackson-Small.

  9. Local News 8

    Former ‘The Lion King’ on Broadway child actress killed in New Jersey stabbing (opens Local News 8)

    Published

    Local News 8's feed description

    By Michelle Watson, CNN (CNN) — Imani Smith, who once played a young Nala in Disney’s “The Lion King” on Broadway, died on Sunday after she was found with stab wounds at a home, according to the Middlesex County, New Jersey, Prosecutor’s Office.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.

Former ‘The Lion King’ on Broadway child actress killed in New Jersey stabbing | Since Then