MILTON, Ga. — Authorities reported that a body believed to be that of Nathan Smith, the son of rapper Lil Jon, was discovered in a pond north of Atlanta on Friday. Smith, also known as DJ Young Slade, had left his Milton home early Tuesday morning “under unusual circumstances,” according to the police.
Lil Jon, in a heartfelt statement on Instagram, expressed profound sorrow over the loss of his son. He and Smith’s mother, Nicole, are “deeply heartbroken.” The statement described Nathan as “the kindest human being I have ever met,” emphasizing his caring, thoughtful, and warm-hearted nature, along with his love for family and friends.
Authorities noted in a missing person alert that Nathan, 27, “ran out of the house and has not been seen since.” He reportedly left without his cell phone, prompting concerns about his safety, as he may have been disoriented.
The search began immediately, and when initial efforts yielded no results, police broadened their search area to include a nearby pond. Tragically, shortly before noon on Friday, divers from the Cherokee County Fire Department located his body.
While the individual is thought to be Nathan Smith, formal identification is pending from the Fulton County Coroner’s Office. The medical examiner has not released any information about the incident thus far.
Authorities stated that current investigations show no indications of foul play. However, they continue to treat the case as an open and active investigation. Additional specifics will be shared once the coroner determines the cause and manner of death.
Milton is a suburban area located roughly 30 miles north of Atlanta.
Lil Jon, born Jonathan Smith, is a renowned Atlanta rapper and producer known for his contributions to the crunk subgenre of hip-hop. His notable tracks include “Get Low” with East Side Boys and “Turn Down For What” with DJ Snake.
