American actress Imani Smith, star of the Broadway musical “The Lion King“, was fatally stabbed, Deadline reported, citing the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, New Jersey.
On December 21, after calling emergency services, police found the actress with stab wounds. She was taken to a hospital, where Smith, 26, was pronounced dead.
Jordan D. Jackson-Small, 35, whom Smith's relatives identified as her boyfriend, was arrested on suspicion of murder.
“Smith and Jackson-Small knew each other before "The incident was not a random act of violence," police said.
Jackson-Small is charged with first-degree murder, child endangerment and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Imani Smith played Nala in the 2011-2012 Broadway production of "The Lion King."
Smith is survived by her 3-year-old son and her parents, Monique Rance-Helper and Ronnie Helper.