MILTON, GA – A body recovered from a pond near the home of rapper Lil Jon’s son is believed to be 27-year-old Nathan Smith, according to the Milton Police Department.
Smith, known professionally as DJ Young Slade, left his Milton residence on February 3 under what authorities described as unusual circumstances. When his family was unable to locate him, the Milton Police Department launched a search effort coordinating with multiple partner agencies.
On February 6, divers with the Cherokee County Fire Department recovered a body from a pond in Mayfield Park near Smith’s home at approximately 11:53 a.m. The body is believed to be Smith, though official confirmation is pending from the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Police said there was “no indication of foul play,” though the criminal investigations division is continuing to treat the case as an active investigation pending an official determination of the cause and manner of death.
Through a representative, Lil Jon said he and Smith’s mother, Nicole Smith, were “extremely heartbroken.” The rapper described his son as “the kindest human being you would ever meet” and “immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted.”
Smith was born in 1998 to Lil Jon, whose real name is Jonathan Smith, and Nicole Smith. The former couple married in 2004 and amicably separated in 2022. Nathan Smith was a music producer, artist and engineer who graduated from New York University.
The investigation remains active as authorities await autopsy results.
