Lil Jon says final goodbye to son Nathan after heartbreaking death at 27
Phoebe Tonks
Featured Image Credit: Chance Yeh/Getty Images
Rapper Lil Jon has penned a poignant final farewell to his son Nathan Smith, 27, as he laid him to rest just days after his death.
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.
Yet despite high hopes to bring him home safely, Smith was later found dead in a pond on Friday Feb 6, just a short distance form his home.
Now, two weeks on, Lil Jon has posted an emotional goodbye to his son online, as he shared a series of photos of Nathan throughout his life, and confirmed that a funeral had taken place to lay him to rest.
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In the post, Lil Jon explained that Nathan’s funeral had taken place on Wednesday February 18, the first day of Ramadan - the holiest month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a 29–30 day period of fasting (sawm), prayer, reflection, and community.
He wrote: "In this holy month, I’m asking for extra du’a for him and for our family. Please pray that Allah grants him Jannah and grants us sabr, mercy, and strength, I love you, son. Life will never be the same without you. Allah, give me strength.”
Lil Jon also went on to thank fans and loved ones for their outpouring of support and condolences before adding: "I will make sure the world knows your talent and never forgets your name. Nathan Murray Smith.”
The tribute is the second post shared by Lil Jon in the wake of his son’s death, with his first being released on February 6 when he confirmed the tragic loss of his son. Speaking at the time he wrote: “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," the statement 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.”
The Milton Police Department (MPD) confirmed Smith’s death on February 6, when they released a statement about the tragedy.
“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," they said.
“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.”
They also went on to add that no foul play was detected, and shared their condolences with the family who had lost such an integral member. "We extend our deepest condolences to the Smith family during this difficult time," MPD said. "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."