Rapper Lil Jon’s Son Found Dead Days After Being Reported Missing

There has been an immense amount of concern for rapper Lil Jon and his family as his son, Nathan Smith, also known as D.J. Young Slade, 27, was reported missing in Milton, Georgia, on February 3. This came after he left home sometime that day without returning or being seen by family or friends. Now, he has been confirmed to have passed away following the police finding his body in a nearby pond. 

Lil Jon's son has passed away.

According to US Weekly, the Milton Police Department confirmed on Friday, February 6, 2026, that "divers with the Cherokee County Fire Department located and recovered a body. The body was in a pond in Mayfield Park, which is near Smith's residence. It has now been confirmed that it is the 27-year-old.

The police department released a statement, saying, "The individual is believed to be Nathan Smith, pending official confirmation by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office. 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 also stated that "no further details will be released" until a cause of death has been determined. The police department also addressed the family on the statement. It reads, "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."

Following the discovery of the body, Lil Jon has confirmed his son's death with a statement to TMZ. He 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 continued, "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."

According to NBC News, Smith was last seen near Baldwin Drive and Mayfield Road on February 3 at around 6 a.m. Police say he left home on foot and did not have his cellphone. They also stated at the time that he may have been disoriented and needed some form of assistance.

A representative for Lil Jon released a statement at the time, saying the "family is asking for privacy at this time. We are also asking for continued prayers for Nathan to come home safe."

Following the news of divers finding a body assumed to be Smith, many social media users are using their platforms to offer their condolences. One person on X said, “Sad update. Police say a body found in Georgia is believed to be Lil Jon’s son. Prayers up for the family."

Someone else said, “Praying for Lil Jon and his fam during this incredibly hard and trying time.” A different X user said, “Could see that he wasn’t in a good headspace by that photo. Prayers to Lil Jon and his family. So very sad.”

A different social media user said, “No parent should ever have to go through this. Sending so much love and strength to Lil Jon and the whole family during this unimaginable pain.” Someone else highlighted how the rapper had recently spoken about his family.

They wrote, “Prayers out to Lil Jon and his family, he was just talkin about the positive things goin on in his life.” In general, both fans of Lil Jon and those who feel sympathy for him and his family are offering kind words to the rap icon. 

The local police department has provided more details about the investigation into Smith. Per PEOPLE, they said in a statement, "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."

It continued, "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."

Currently, there is "no indication of foul play." However, the investigation is ongoing.