Child star Imani Smith tragically passed away at the young age of 26, allegedly at the hands of her boyfriend. The incident took place in Edison, New Jersey, where Smith was found with stab wounds after a 911 call. She was rushed to the hospital but unfortunately did not survive.
Her boyfriend, Jordan D. Jackson-Small, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, as well as other related charges. The police confirmed that the two individuals knew each other prior to the incident, ruling out the possibility of a random act of violence. Jackson-Small is currently awaiting his pre-trial detention hearing.
Imani Smith, known for her role as young Nala in “The Lion King” on Broadway, left behind a 3-year-old son and a loving family and community. Her aunt, Kira Helper, set up a GoFundMe page to cover funeral expenses, trauma therapy for Smith’s son and family, legal costs, and more. The page initially aimed to raise $55,000 but has since increased the goal to $80,000, with over $59,000 raised so far.
Imani’s parents, Monique and Rawni, are trying to cope with the loss of their daughter while also taking on the responsibility of raising their grandson. Monique, who works as a hairdresser in Broadway and TV/film, is facing financial challenges due to time away from work. The funds raised through the GoFundMe campaign will help the family focus on grieving, healing, and caring for their grandson without added financial stress.
The community has shown an outpouring of support for the family, with donations and prayers being shared to help them through this difficult time. The impact of Imani’s loss is deeply felt, and the hope is that the funds raised will provide some relief during this period of mourning and healing. Any contribution, no matter how small, is appreciated and helps alleviate the burden on the grieving family.
