Lil Jon’s Son, Nathan Smith (AKA DJ Young Slade), Found Dead After Going Missing in Georgia

Milton, Georgia — Rapper Lil Jon (born Jonathan Smith) and his family are grieving after local authorities found the body of his adult son, Nathan Smith — a rising artist known professionally as DJ Young Slade — in a pond near his home on Friday.

Missing Person Alert & Search

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the Milton Police Department issued a missing person alert for Nathan Smith, 27, after he left his residence on foot and did not take his phone.
Authorities indicated he may have been disoriented and in need of help during the initial search.
Multiple agencies, including divers from the Cherokee County Fire Department, conducted an extensive search around the area, particularly near Mayfield Park.

Discovery & Confirmation

On Friday morning, a body was recovered from a pond near Smith’s home by emergency teams, and police believe it is Nathan Smith.
Identification by the Fulton County Medical Examiner is pending, and the official cause and manner of death has not been released. Police say there is no current indication of foul play, though the investigation remains open and active.

Lil Jon’s Statement

Lil Jon released a heartbreaking statement on social media, describing the loss as “tragic.” He and Nathan’s mother, Nicole Smith, said they were devastated and shared words honoring their son’s life and character.

“I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. He was the kindest human being you would ever meet — caring, thoughtful, passionate, and warmhearted. He loved his family and friends to the fullest,” Lil Jon said in the statement.

Who Was DJ Young Slade?

Born in 1998, Nathan was Lil Jon’s oldest child and followed his father into the music field.
He graduated from New York University and worked as a music producer, DJ, artist, and engineer, performing as DJ Young Slade.
His creative work included recent music releases and performances in the Atlanta scene.

Community Reaction

Fans, music peers, and public figures have also expressed shock and sorrow over the unexpected disappearance and death of DJ Young Slade, sharing condolences on social platforms while authorities continue gathering information.

Here is the official police-reported statement on what happened to Lil Jon’s son — Nathan Smith (also known as DJ Young Slade) — based on verified updates from authorities:

📌 Milton Police Department Official Statement (Summary)

According to the Milton Police Department in Georgia:

Nathan Smith was reported missing after he left his home early on February 3, 2026, under what police described as unusual circumstances. He left on foot and did not have his phone with him, prompting concern for his safety and a missing-person alert.
Police circulated a missing person poster on social media noting that he “may be disoriented and in need of assistance,” and family and friends were deeply worried about his whereabouts.
After several days of searching with local law enforcement and partner agencies, divers from the Cherokee County Fire Department recovered a body from a pond near Smith’s residence on February 6, 2026.
The police said the body is believed to be Nathan Smith, pending official confirmation from the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Police explicitly stated there is currently no indication of foul play based on their investigation so far.
The Milton Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division emphasized the case remains open and active until the medical examiner determines the official cause and manner of death and investigative leads are fully reviewed.
Authorities also said no further details will be released until the medical examiner’s findings are completed.
The department extended its deepest condolences to the Smith family and asked the public and media to respect the family’s request for privacy during the grieving process.

📍 Key Police Quotes (Paraphrased)

• “The individual is believed to be Nathan Smith, pending official confirmation by the Medical Examiner.”
• “Based on the investigation to date, there is no indication of foul play.”
• “The investigation remains open and active.”
• “No further details will be released until the cause and manner of death are determined.”
• “We extend our deepest condolences to the Smith family.”