UPDATE: Rapper Lil Jon and his family are grieving the tragic loss of his 27-year-old son, Nathan Smith, three days after he was reported missing in Georgia. Smith, who also performed under the stage name DJ Young Slade, was found dead Friday afternoon when divers recovered a body from a pond near his home in Milton, a suburb north of Atlanta.
Officials from the Milton Police Department said the body is believed to be Smith’s and is awaiting official identification and autopsy confirmation from the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office. Authorities have not identified any signs of foul play, and the investigation remains open as they work to determine the cause and manner of his death.
Smith had been reported missing on February 3, 2026, after leaving his home in the early morning hours under “unusual circumstances,” according to police. The missing person alert noted he left on foot without a phone and may have been disoriented, prompting a multi-agency search in the days that followed.
In a heartfelt statement shared with media outlets on Friday, Lil Jon and Nathan’s mother, Nicole Smith, expressed profound sorrow over their son’s passing. “I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith,” the couple said. “His mother and I are devastated. Nathan was the kindest human being you would ever meet — immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted. He loved his family and the friends in his life to the fullest.”
They described Nathan as a talented musician, producer, and engineer who had forged his own path in the music industry. A graduate of New York University (NYU), he was known among peers for his creativity and dedication to his craft. Lil Jon noted that in their last conversations, they shared how deeply they cared for one another — a memory that now offers some comfort amid their grief.
Lil Jon also thanked the Milton Police Department, the Cherokee County Fire Department and members of the community who assisted in the search. The family has asked for privacy as they mourn their loss.
Smith’s death is a reminder of how unpredictable life can be — and has prompted an outpouring of support from fans and fellow artists across the music community. No further details have yet been released while authorities await the medical examiner’s full findings.
