By Trendsetter Tribune 
In a heartbreaking conclusion to a three-day search, the body of Nathan Smith, the 27-year-old son of rapper and producer Lil Jon, was recovered on Friday, February 6, 2026.
Details of the Search and Recovery
The search began on the morning of Tuesday, February 3, when Nathan (known professionally as DJ Young Slade) abruptly ran out of his home in Milton, Georgia. Authorities noted he was without his phone and appeared disoriented, sparking immediate concern for his safety.
- Location: Divers with the Cherokee County Fire Department recovered the body from a pond in Mayfield Park, located just a few hundred feet from his residence.
- Official Status: While the Milton Police Department believes the individual is Nathan, official confirmation is pending from the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office.
- Investigation: Police have stated that there is no indication of foul play. However, the investigation remains “open and active” until a final cause and manner of death are determined.
Tributes to a “Kindhearted Soul”
Lil Jon and his estranged wife, Nicole Smith, released a joint statement expressing their profound grief and pride in their son’s life and achievements.
“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.” — Lil Jon and Nicole Smith
Nathan was a graduate of New York University’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music and was a rising talent in the industry as a music producer and engineer. Lil Jon recently shared a touching tribute on social media, posting a compilation of childhood photos with the caption, “THIS HURTS SO BAD. I LOVE YOU SON.”
A Legacy in Music
Under the moniker DJ Young Slade, Nathan began DJing at age 11 and had been successfully carving out his own path in the music world. His most recent work included a collaboration with Ice Cube titled “Feels,” released in 2025.