Rapper Lil Jon has announced the tragic news of his 27-year-old son Nathan Smith’s death, who was found deceased after being reported missing earlier in the week.
Nathan disappeared on Tuesday, February 3, sparking a desperate search by his family and authorities. He had left his home under unusual circumstances and without his phone.
Unfortunately, just three days into the search, the Milton Police Department in Georgia reported discovering a body believed to be Nathan’s in a pond located in Mayfield Park, close to his residence.
In a statement released on Friday, February 6, the Milton Police Department stated: “On the morning of February 3, 2026, Milton Police Department officers responded to a report of a missing adult in the area of Baldwin Drive in Milton, Georgia. Responding officers determined that a Milton resident, Nathan Smith, had left his residence under unusual circumstances and could not be located.
“The Milton Police Department immediately began search efforts and coordinated with multiple partner agencies that assisted in searching for Mr. Smith over the following several days.
“After being unable to locate Mr. Smith during that time, teams expanded the search to include a pond in Mayfield Park near Smith’s Milton residence.
“On February 6, 2026, at approximately 11:53 a.m., divers with the Cherokee County Fire Department located and recovered a body from the pond.
“The individual is believed to be Nathan Smith, pending official confirmation by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office.”
The Police Department further stated that there is no evidence of foul play but assured the public that they would continue to investigate actively.
After the announcement on Friday, Lil Jon expressed his grief over his son’s untimely death, describing Nathan as one of the “kindest human beings” one could meet.
On Instagram, Lil Jon shared: “I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother and I are devastated. Nathan was the kindest human being you would ever meet. He was immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted — he loved his family and the friends in his life to the fullest. He was an amazingly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer, and graduate of NYU.”
The message continued, “We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him. He was loved and appreciated, and in our last times together we’re comforted in knowing that we expressed that very sentiment to him.”
“Thank you for all of the prayers and support in trying to locate him over the last several days,” the statement concluded. “Thank you to the entire Milton Police Department involved: Detective Dula Milton, Investigators Sergeant Scott Lappin, Detective Randy Dula, Detective Sarah Moore, and Detective Daniel Williams. Sandy Springs Police Department, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Haralson County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee Fire Department, Forsyth County Fire Department, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia K9 Team Search and Recovery, and multiple volunteers, as well as the Milton Fire Department and Cherokee Rescue and Dive Team, and Craig Brazemen.”
Nathan was following in his father’s footsteps, establishing a career as DJ and musician under the stage name DJ Young Slade or Slade. His most recent single, “Feels,” was released in March 2025.
Reflecting on his father’s influence on his passion for music, Nathan remarked to The Quintessential Gentleman last year: “It’s dope to appreciate my dad, show respect, and just look at all the things he’s done, and it’s nice to get the torch passed down and do my own thing.”
“Because it’s like it comes from him, but also I’m definitely taking it and making it my own.”