‘Lion King’ Child Star Imani Smith Killed At 26; Boyfriend Charged With First-Degree Murder

Imani Smith, a former Broadway child star best known for portraying Young Nala in Disney’s “The Lion King,” was killed earlier this week, prosecutors said in a press release Tuesday.

Smith, 26, was fatally stabbed in Edison, New Jersey, on December 21, authorities said.

Authorities have arrested her boyfriend, Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, in connection with the killing. He has been 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, the press release said.

He is being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center as he awaits an appearance

This is a breaking news story. Updates to come