Lil Jon’s missing son DJ Young Slade has a heartbreaking update.
Per Variety, Nathan Smith, known professionally as DJ Young Slade, is confirmed to be deceased after a body was discovered which they believe to belong to the 27-year-old.
“I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother, Nicole Smith, and I are devastated,” Lil Jon told TMZ about his son’s tragic passing.
“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. We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him.
Nathan was first reported missing on Tuesday (Feb 3). He was last seen in Milton and officers determined that he “had left his residence under unusual circumstances.”
“Subject ran out of his house and has been missing since. Subject left on foot and does not possess a phone. He may be disoriented and in need of assistance. Family and friends are concerned for his safety,” a Milton Police Department statement read.
“The individual is believed to be Nathan Smith”
Search efforts lasted three days and eventually expanded to a pond near his home, where divers discovered a body on Friday morning (Feb 6). “The individual is believed to be Nathan Smith, pending official confirmation by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office,” the Milton Police Department said in a statement on social media.
“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,” the statement read. “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.”
According to the statement, there is “no indication of foul play” but it continues to be “an open and active investigation.”
“No further details will be released until the official cause and manner of death are determined by the Fulton County Medical Examiner and all investigative leads have been thoroughly examined,” the statement concluded. “We extend our deepest condolences to the Smith family during this difficult time. The department respectfully asks the community and members of the media to honor the family’s request for privacy as they grieve and navigate this tragedy.”
Smith is the son of Lil Jon and his estranged wife, Nicole Smith, who married in 2004 and announced the end of their relationship in 2024.
Nathan was a DJ and musician who performed under the name DJ Young Slade. He released his latest single, “Feels,” in March 2025
The family is asking for privacy as they grieve this devastating loss.