A quiet residential street in Edison, New Jersey, became the scene of a deadly crime just days before the holidays, leaving a young woman dead and a community searching for answers.
Police say officers were dispatched around 9:15 a.m. on December 21, 2025, to a home on Grover Avenue after a 911 call reported a stabbing. When first responders arrived, they found a woman suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Authorities identified the victim as 26-year-old Imani Smith.
Two days later, on December 23, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office announced criminal charges against 35-year-old Jordan Jackson-Small in connection with Smith’s death. Prosecutors said Jackson-Small faces charges related to homicide, weapons possession, and endangering the welfare of a child. Officials did not release additional details about the child endangerment charge.
A family member confirmed that Jackson-Small was Smith’s boyfriend, adding another layer of heartbreak to the case. Investigators have not publicly disclosed what led up to the stabbing or whether there had been prior incidents involving the couple.
Jackson-Small was taken into custody without incident, according to authorities, and is currently being held at the Middlesex County jail as he awaits upcoming court proceedings.
As the investigation continues, loved ones are mourning the loss of Imani Smith, whose life was cut short in a violent act that has shaken the Edison community. Prosecutors say more information may be released as the case moves through the court system.