Lil Jon's Son, DJ Young Slade, Confirmed Deceased Days After Going Missing — Details

For days, hope quietly lingered as loved ones waited for answers. Now, a devastating confirmation has turned that waiting into mourning.

Authorities in Georgia have confirmed that the son of rapper Jonathan Smith, popularly known as Lil Jon, has died, days after he was reported missing. The news sent shockwaves through both the music world and the local community following an intense search.

According to a report from NBC News, the body of Lil Jon's 27-year-old son was recovered following a multi-day search in Georgia. Police and family members confirmed the discovery on Friday.

The young man was identified as Nathan Smith, who performed under the name DJ Young Slade. Nathan had been reported missing earlier in the week after a sudden and alarming incident at his residence.

What Happened Before He Vanished

Police said Nathan was last seen on Tuesday morning in Milton, Georgia. Investigators reported that he was seen running out of his home before disappearing. As hours turned into days, concern deepened among family members and supporters.

Search efforts expanded, with multiple agencies joining the operation. Authorities have not yet released an official cause or manner of death. The medical examiner's office will make the final determination, police said.

In a statement shared with NBC News, police said:

"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."

Was Foul Play Involved?

As speculation spread online, investigators addressed one of the biggest questions surrounding the case. Officials said there is currently no evidence pointing to criminal activity.

According to CNN, police said, "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."

Lil Jon Confirms the Devastating Loss

On February 6, 2026, Lil Jon publicly confirmed the death of his son in an emotional Instagram post. The three-slide message marked the family's first personal acknowledgment of the tragedy. The rapper began:

"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."

In the second slide, the artist reflected on Nathan's future and accomplishments, "He was an amazingly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer, and [a] graduate of NYU. We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him."

The final slide expressed gratitude toward law enforcement and volunteers who searched tirelessly. Lil Jon and Nicole personally named multiple departments and individuals involved in the effort.

A Father Remembering His Son

Later that same day, Lil Jon shared a slideshow of personal photos of himself and Nathan. He captioned the post, "THIS HURTS SO BAD. 💔 I LOVE YOU SON."

In another tribute, Lil Jon highlighted Nathan's music, sharing a screenshot from Spotify featuring Young Slade's song "MOVE THRU FIRE."

He wrote, "SLADE RELEASED THIS WHEN HE GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE. HE WAS SO HAPPY TO EXPRESS HIS ART N DO IT HIMSELF. I WAS SO PROUD OF HIM FOR DOING IT ALL ON HIS OWN."

Where the Search Ultimately Led

As the investigation continued, officials confirmed additional details about the recovery. Authorities later disclosed where first responders located Nathan's body. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, emergency crews recovered the body from a pond near Mayfield Road and Baldwin Drive in Milton. The Cherokee County Fire Department located the body around 11:53 a.m. Friday.

SKYFOX 5 footage showed dive teams and dozens of first responders working the scene. An object was seen being removed from the water and taken to a nearby tent as the operation concluded.

As the case remains under investigation, the family has asked for privacy. For now, loved ones continue to remember a talented artist, a devoted son, and a life gone far too soon.

Through music, memories, and heartfelt tributes, DJ Young Slade is being remembered not for how his story ended, but for the talent, warmth, and promise he carried.

As Lil Jon and his family mourn an unimaginable loss, they have asked for privacy. What remains is the lasting impact of a deeply loved son, a life deeply felt, and a legacy that will not be forgotten. We sympathize with the entire Lil Jon family.

In the aftermath of the heartbreaking confirmation that DJ Young Slade was found dead, a closer look at the hours and warnings leading up to his disappearance reveals why so many say the initial alert felt off from the very start.

The Milton Police Department issued a missing person bulletin late Tuesday night, February 3, 2026, for Nathan, who vanished from a residential neighborhood in Milton, Georgia. Nathan is known professionally as DJ Young Slade. And he comes from a very famous family.

What Police Say Happened

According to police, Nathan was last seen around 6 a.m. Tuesday near Baldwin Drive and Mayfield Road. That's when the circumstances began to raise alarms. Police say Nathan ran out of his house and left on foot, without taking a phone with him.

Even more troubling, authorities warned that he "may be disoriented and in need of assistance," prompting fears that he could be in danger. Family and friends, police added, are highly concerned for his safety.

Search Effort and More Disturbing Context Emerges

According to journalist and television news reporter Cody Alcorn, officers conducted searches in the surrounding area, including near a lake close to where Nathan was last seen.

Additional reporting added to the concern surrounding Nathan's disappearance. Cody also reported that Nathan left his home without clothing, on foot, and with no phone, reinforcing police concerns that he may be disoriented and vulnerable.

While authorities have not disputed Cody's information, they have asked anyone with information to contact Milton's non-emergency dispatch line immediately. As hours passed with no sign of him, the urgency intensified.

The Family's Message

Shortly after the news broke, a representative for the "Turn Down for What" singer spoke out publicly.

In a statement to TMZ, Lil Jon's representative asked for compassion during an incredibly difficult time, "The family is asking for privacy at this time. We are also asking for continued prayers for Nathan to come home safe. Thank you."

The family has not shared additional details beyond that request.

Who DJ Young Slade Is

Outside this frightening situation, Nathan has built a life in music, following a path similar to his father's, but mainly out of the spotlight.

In a 2024 interview with OK! Magazine, Lil Jon said his son works as an engineer and artist, noting that Nathan began as a DJ before expanding into other areas of the music business.

"He's 26 now, and he's in the music business. He's an engineer and an artist. He started off as a DJ, and he knows it's one of those songs you have to play. We haven't talked about how he feels about it, but I'm sure he likes it," Lil Jon said.

The artist also described his son as having a natural musical ear from a young age:

"It's cool he's in the same business as me. I didn't know what he was going to be when he was younger. I wasn't trying to influence him to be in music. He had a natural musical ear. I remember he was 11 years old and we were in the car and the DJ was mixing on the radio and he could tell what song was coming in before it came on."

A Shared Creative Path

Lil Jon told OK! that Nathan studied music at NYU's Tischprogram, where he learned various aspects of the industry and began producing his own work.

The proud father said that he got his son "a scholarship at Scratch DJ Academy, and he learned how to be a DJ. He fell in love with music, so he ended up going to NYU and was in the Tisch program."

"He learned every aspect of the music business and started producing in high school. When he got to college, he kind of released his own songs. He's gotten more into producing his own music and other people's music," he added.

The two have collaborated on several projects over the years, with Nathan often working behind the scenes as an engineer. Lil Jon has said they've been working together "for a while," describing the experience as meaningful for both of them:

"We've actually produced a bunch of songs together, so that's cool. When he was going to college, he would come home and be my engineer. We've been working together for a while, so that's really, cool. It was amazing to work with him on that album and to see the evolution of his father be on this journey of mental well-being," the Georgia native said.

Creating Music During a Period of Healing

Nathan also worked with his father on the meditation album "Total Meditation," released on February 16, 2024, following Lil Jon's split from Nicole Smith earlier that month:

"We put out two albums — the first one was "Total Meditation" and the second was "Manifest Abundance: Affirmations for Personal Growth." They are two different styles. The first album was guided meditation, and the second one was manifestations and affirmations. Everybody needs to say affirmations every day — that is what got me through some tough times."

The performer said the second album "meant a lot" to him, as he was focused on maintaining a positive "mental state" during that period.

"I was really happy to share those things with people, and even on the first album, a lot of people would send me messages and say, 'I never meditated before. I never thought about meditating before, but I did it because of you.' This helped me get through my grief and relax more," he stated.

"It makes me feel good that I'm putting something out into the world that's helping people," the artist concluded.

For now, the music has gone quiet. As police continue their search, loved ones are left holding onto hope, and to the version of Nathan they know: a creative force, a collaborator, a son deeply woven into his family's life. The contrast between that world and the circumstances of his disappearance is what makes this case so unsettling.

As of now, Nathan has not been located. Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward, while his family waits, prays, and hopes for one thing above all else, his safe return home.

As Lil Jon and his family grieve privately, tributes continue to echo through the music community.DJ Young Slade's story now lives on through his work, his relationships, and the memories of those who loved him.