A former star of Disney on Broadway’s “The Lion King” has died after an apparent stabbing on December 21. She was 26.Former “The Lion King” on Broadway Star MurderedCredit: GoFundMeAccording to a press release from the Office of the County Prosecutor in Middlesex County, New Jersey, Imani Dia Smith was found with stab wounds in her Edison home after someone called 911 about a stabbing. Smith, who starred as Young Nala in Disney on Broadway’s “The Lion King” as a child, was pronounced dead at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick.Smith’s boyfriend, 35-year-old Jordan D. Jackson-Small, was arrested in connection with her death on December 23. Prosecutors have charged him 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.Family GoFundMeSmith’s aunt set up a GoFundMe page for her parents, Monique Rance-Helper and Rawni Helper, to help with funeral expenses, legal fees, and care for the late actress’s three-year-old son and beloved dog, Kuro. She is also survived by two younger siblings.Credit: GoFundMe“Imani had her whole life ahead of her,” the family wrote on the fundraiser page, which has already raised over $68,000. “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 Lion King — an experience that reflected the joy, creativity, and light she put into the world.”Imani Dia Smith starred in Disney on Broadway’s “The Lion King” from 2011 to 2012. Her mother, Monique, has worked as a hairdresser in the entertainment industry, including Broadway and more than 25 movies and television shows, since 2010.“Like so many in the freelance and artistic fields, time away from work means lost income during an already devastating period,” the family wrote on the GoFundMe. “…Our hope is that these funds will give Imani’s parents the ability to focus on what matters most: grieving their daughter, caring for their grandson, and helping their children begin to heal — without the added fear of financial instability.”The Inside the Magic team sends its thoughts to the loved ones of Imani Dia Smith. The post ‘The Lion King’ Star Found Stabbed to Death appeared first on Inside the Magic.