Rapper Lil Jon on Friday publicly mourned the loss of his 27-year-old son, Nathan Smith, after authorities located a body believed to be his near the family’s home. The discovery came three days after Smith, who performed as DJ Young Slade, was reported missing, police said.
Smith was found in a pond at Mayfield Park in Milton, a suburb north of Atlanta, following an extensive search by local law enforcement and fire department dive teams, authorities said. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to confirm the identity and determine the cause of death.
No Suspicion of Foul Play
Milton police said Smith left his home early Tuesday under what they described as “unusual circumstances” and without his phone. Officers said there was no indication of foul play, but that the investigation remains active.
Police said the search expanded to the wooded area around Mayfield Park after initial efforts failed to locate Smith. At approximately 11:53 a.m. Friday, divers from the Cherokee County Fire Department recovered a body from the shallow water.
Officials declined further comment while awaiting confirmation from the medical examiner.
Lil Jon, born Jonathan Smith, and his ex-wife, Nicole Smith, issued a joint statement on social media expressing “deep sorrow” over their son’s passing. “I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith,” the statement read. “His mother and I are devastated.”
“Nathan was the kindest human being you would ever meet,” Lil Jon said. “He was immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted — he loved his family and the friends in his life to the fullest.”
The family highlighted Smith’s artistic gifts and accomplishments. “He was an amazingly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer, and a graduate of NYU,” they said. “We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him.”
Lil Jon also thanked members of the community and law enforcement for their efforts during the search. “We are comforted in knowing that we expressed our love to him,” he added.
Smith, who performed under the name DJ Young Slade, had been building a reputation in the Atlanta music scene. Friends and fans shared condolences across social media after the news broke Friday.
Lil Jon, a central figure in the crunk subgenre of hip-hop, rose to fame with hits such as “Get Low” and “Turn Down for What.” He also has a younger daughter, Nahara, born in 2024.