Lil Jon's missing son Nathan Smith is believed to be dead after authorities found a body in a Georgia pond. The announcement came from the Milton Police Department on Friday. Investigators believe it to be Smith though official confirmation from the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office is awaited.
Divers with the Cherokee County Fire Department had found and recovered a body from the pond in Mayfield Park near Smith's place in Milton, just before 12 pm.
Nathan Smith aka DJ Young Slade cause of death
Authorities gave an update on the cause of death, saying “Based on the investigation to date, there is no indication of foul play. However, the Milton Police Department Criminal Investigations Division will continue to treat this as an open and active investigation.”
They added, “We extend our deepest condolences to the Smith family during this difficult time.”
The statement from the Milton Police Department on Facebook said:
{{/usCountry}}The statement from the Milton Police Department on Facebook said:
{{/usCountry}}“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.”
It added, “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.”
Smith also known as DJ Young Slade was last seen at his Milton residence on Tuesday morning. He was not seen after he ran out of his home. Local outlet Rough Draft Atlanta had reported that Smith was possibly naked at the time.
In a statement to TMZ, Lil Jon said “I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother, Nicole Smith, 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 added, “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. He was loved and appreciated, and in our last times together we’re comforted in knowing that we expressed that very sentiment to him.”