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Lil Jon ‘extremely heartbroken’ after death of son Nathan Smith at 27
The rapper confirms that his son has died after his body was recovered from a pond in Milton
Lil Jon is mourning the devastating loss of his son, Nathan Smith.
The 55-year-old rapper confirmed that his 27-year-old son, a musician known professionally as DJ Young Slade, has died after his body was recovered from a pond in Milton, Georgia, days after he was reported missing.
“I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother and I are devastated,” Lil Jon said in a statement to People.
“Nathan was the kindest human being you would ever meet. He was immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warm-hearted. He loved his family and the friends in his life to the fullest.”
He added, “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.”
According to the Milton Police Department, officers responded to a report of a missing adult on Feb. 3 in the area of Baldwin Drive.
Authorities said Nathan had left his residence “under unusual circumstances,” reportedly running out of the house on foot without his phone.
Family and friends expressed concern that he may have been disoriented and in need of assistance.
After several days of coordinated search efforts involving multiple agencies, divers with the Cherokee County Fire Department recovered a body from a pond in Mayfield Park near Nathan’s home at approximately 11:53 a.m. on Feb. 6.
Officials said the individual is believed to be Nathan, pending formal identification by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Police stated that there is currently no indication of foul play, though the case remains an open and active investigation until the official cause and manner of death are determined.
In his statement, Lil Jon thanked those who supported the search efforts. “Thank you for all of the prayers and support in trying to locate him over the last several days,” he said, noting that he and Nathan’s mother, Nicole Smith, are finding comfort in knowing they expressed their love for him in their final time together.
The Milton Police Department extended condolences to the family and asked the public to respect their privacy as they grieve.