Nathan Smith, the 27-year-old son of rapper and producer Jonathan “Lil Jon” Smith, died from accidental drowning, a county autopsy report said Friday. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office listed the manner of death as an accident. The report said the drowning occurred “in the setting of psilocybin use.”
Family, officials give details
Milton police had reported Smith missing on Feb. 3 after they said he left his home under unusual circumstances. Search teams recovered a body from a nearby retention pond three days later. Divers located the body on Feb. 6, officials said.
The autopsy report said Smith’s blood tested positive for psilocybin. The report described water-immersion wrinkling on his hands. The county’s medical examiner concluded the drug was present at the time of death.
Lil Jon publicly mourned his only son in a statement and on social media. “Life will never be the same without you,” he wrote while asking for prayers. He also thanked the public and investigators for their support.
Investigation remains open
Police said there were no immediate signs of foul play. Authorities have continued a standard investigation after recovery of the body. The medical examiner’s findings do not change that the manner was listed as accidental.
Friends and colleagues remembered Smith as a talented music producer and engineer. He performed as DJ Young Slade and graduated from New York University, according to family statements. Colleagues posted tributes online after news of his death.
The family held a private funeral during the start of Ramadan, Lil Jon said on social media. He asked for privacy and for continued prayers as the family grieves. He pledged to preserve his son’s artistic legacy.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office provided the autopsy results to news outlets. Local police have not released further public updates on investigative steps. Officials urged anyone with relevant information to contact Milton authorities.