Lil Jon son missing case ends after body found in Georgia pond; cause of death still unconfirmed

The search for Lil Jon’s son ended Friday, February 6, 2026, after divers recovered a body from a pond near the family home in Milton, Georgia. The 27-year-old—Nathan Smith, known professionally as DJ Young Slade—had been reported missing earlier in the week after leaving home under unusual circumstances. Authorities have not publicly confirmed a cause of death, and investigators say the circumstances remain under review.

Lil Jon son: what happened in Milton, Georgia

Police say Nathan Smith was reported missing on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, after he left his residence and could not be located. Search efforts expanded over several days and included multiple agencies, with teams eventually focusing on a pond at a nearby park.

Around late morning on Friday, February 6, divers recovered a body from the pond. Officials said it was believed to be Smith, and the medical examiner process was set to handle formal identification and findings. Investigators also said there was no immediate indication of foul play, while emphasizing that the investigation is still open.

DJ Young Slade and Nathan Smith: who he was

Nathan Smith performed and released music as DJ Young Slade, building his own profile as a DJ, producer, artist, and engineer. Family statements described him as warmhearted and deeply devoted to friends and relatives, while also highlighting his drive to carve out a path independent of his father’s fame.

Smith’s work was more behind-the-scenes than celebrity-forward—an approach that can make sudden disappearances feel even more jolting for communities around them, since public signals of trouble are often minimal.

The missing-person timeline and the search focus

Authorities have described Smith’s disappearance as involving “unusual circumstances,” and public accounts around the case indicate he left without his phone and may have been disoriented. Searchers canvassed neighborhoods and nearby areas before concentrating efforts on the pond close to where he was last associated.

In missing-person cases where a body is recovered near home, investigators typically work to reconstruct a precise timeline: last confirmed sighting, movements on foot or by vehicle, and any signs of medical distress or environmental hazards. Officials have not publicly released a full step-by-step timeline beyond the broad outline of the report, search, and recovery.

How did Lil Jon son pass away? What’s still unconfirmed

For people asking “how did Lil Jon son pass” or “how did Lil Jon son pass away,” the key point is that a specific cause and manner of death have not been publicly confirmed as of Sunday, February 8, 2026 (ET).

What remains unconfirmed includes:

• Whether the death was accidental, medical, or linked to another factor

• Whether there were injuries consistent with a fall or another incident

• Whether any substances played a role

• The final medical examiner determination

Authorities have indicated an autopsy is planned, and those results typically guide what is shared next—if anything is shared publicly at all.

Family statement and what comes next

Lil Jon and Smith’s mother, Nicole Smith, released a statement confirming their son’s death and asking for privacy. They also thanked local responders and the community for support during the search.

The next public updates, if they come, are likely to be limited to: (1) formal identification confirmation if it had not yet been finalized at the time of initial announcements, and (2) the medical examiner’s conclusions on cause and manner of death. Investigators can also refine their assessment of foul play once medical findings and scene information are complete.

Key takeaways

• Nathan Smith, known as DJ Young Slade, was reported missing February 3 and found February 6 in Milton, Georgia.

• A body recovered from a pond near his home is believed to be Smith; officials have said there was no immediate sign of foul play.

• The cause of death has not been publicly confirmed as of February 8, 2026 (ET).

• Further clarity, if released, is expected to come through the medical examiner process.

Sources consulted: Reuters, Associated Press, ABC News, Los Angeles Times