Rapper Lil Jon has confirmed the heartbreaking news that his son Nathan Smith, 27, has been found dead after being reported missing earlier this week.
Smith went missing on Tuesday, Feb. 3, prompting a frantic search by loved ones and authorities after he ‘had left his residence under unusual circumstances’, and without carrying his phone.
Sadly, however, just three days later, the Milton Police Department in Georgia announced they had recovered a body that they believe to be Smith, from a pond in Mayfield Park near to his home.
Speaking in a statement released on Friday Feb 6, the Milton Police Department said: “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.
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“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.
“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.”
The Police Department went on to add that there is ‘no evidence of foul play’, however, they will continue to ‘treat this as an open and active investigation'.
Following Friday’s announcement, Lil Jon broke his silence regarding his son’s tragic passing, as he paid tribute to one of the ‘kindest human beings’ you could ever ask to meet.
In a post shared on Instagram, the grieving dad wrote: "I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother and I are devastated," he said. "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 was an amazingly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer, and graduate of NYU."
The statement continued, "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.”
"Thank you for all of the prayers and support in trying to locate him over the last several days," the statement concluded. "Thank you to the entire Milton Police Department involved: Detective Dula Milton, Investigators Sergeant Scott Lappin, Detective Randy Dula, Detective Sarah Moore, and Detective Daniel Williams. Sandy Springs Police Department, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Haralson County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee Fire Department, Forsyth County Fire Department, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia K9 Team Search and Recovery, and multiple volunteers, as well as the Milton Fire Department and Cherokee Rescue and Dive Team, and Craig Brazemen."
After following in his famous dad’s footsteps, Nathan had begun to carve a career for himself as a DJ and musician, who performed under the name DJ Young Slade or Slade. He released his latest single, 'Feels', in March 2025.
Reflecting on the role Lil Jon had played in his love for performing, Smith told The Quintessential Gentleman last year: "It’s dope to appreciate my dad, show respect, and just look at all the things he’s done, and it’s nice to get the torch passed down and do my own thing.
“Because it’s like it comes from him, but also I’m definitely taking it and making it my own."
Phoebe Tonks