A LEGACY CUT SHORT: Milton Community Mourns After Body of Lil Jon’s Son Identified

MILTON, GA — The search that gripped the North Atlanta suburbs for nearly a week has reached its most somber milestone. On Tuesday, the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office officially confirmed that the body recovered from a pond in Mayfield Park is indeed Nathan Smith, the 27-year-old son of Grammy Award-winning producer and rapper Lil Jon.

Known to the music world as DJ Young Slade, Smith had been the subject of an intense multi-agency search since he vanished under “unusual circumstances” on Feb. 3. The confirmation has turned a missing persons case into a memorial for a young artist whose life was just beginning to hit its crescendo.

The Final Discovery at Mayfield Park

The recovery operation reached a climax late Friday morning when specialized divers from the Cherokee County Fire Department were called to a pond near the Baldwin Drive and Mayfield Road area. In a detail that has left neighbors and family devastated, the location of the recovery was a mere 100 yards from where Smith was last seen alive.

Throughout the morning, the Atlanta News First Alert Chopper captured a heavy law enforcement presence as dozens of responders lined the banks of the water. At 11:53 a.m., the silence of the park was broken by the news that a body had been located.

“The investigation remains open and active until the medical examiner determines the official cause and manner of death,” a spokesperson for the Milton Police Department stated.

While police currently maintain there is no indication of foul play, the circumstances leading up to Smith’s disappearance remain a point of intense focus for investigators. The “unusual circumstances” cited by police suggest a chaotic and disoriented exit from his home, one that left him vulnerable to the elements and the nearby water.

“Kindest Human Being”: A Father’s Heartbreak

In the wake of the news, Lil Jon (born Jonathan Smith) released a statement that moved the city of Atlanta to its core. Through his publicist, the legendary artist spoke not as a celebrity, but as a shattered father.

“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.”

Lil Jon went on to highlight his son’s impressive credentials, noting his graduation from New York University and his success as a music producer, artist, and engineer. Nathan was not simply riding the coattails of his father’s fame; he was an innovator in his own right, blending the high energy of his father’s “Crunk” era with a modern, soulful technicality that won him respect in the New York and Atlanta club scenes.

The Professional Rise of DJ Young Slade

Nathan Smith was more than a rapper’s son—he was a technician of sound. As DJ Young Slade, he earned his stripes at NYU’s prestigious Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. He was known for his meticulous engineering skills and had recently collaborated with his father on more introspective, wellness-focused projects.

This image shows a young man, Nathan Smith (DJ Young Slade), behind a DJ booth with headphones on. [invalid URL removed]

Family friends describe Nathan as a “gentle soul” who navigated the pressures of a famous lineage with grace and humility. His sudden absence leaves a void in the Atlanta creative community, where he was often seen supporting local artists and perfecting his craft in the city’s top studios.

What We Know About the Investigation

As the community prepares for memorial services, the Fulton County Medical Examiner continues to work on the toxicology and autopsy reports. Key questions remain:

The Disorientation: What caused Nathan to leave his home in a state of confusion?

The Timeline: How long was he in the water before the dive team was deployed?

The Location: Why did he gravitate toward the Mayfield Park pond?

For now, the Milton Police are reviewing all investigative leads. They have urged the public to respect the family’s privacy as they wait for the final report.

This image shows a memorial with flowers and candles set up near the edge of a pond. [invalid URL removed]

As the sun sets over Milton tonight, the lights at the local parks remain dimmed in honor of a young man who was “loved with all of our hearts.”