The wait for answers stretched on for days in Milton, Georgia — until investigators said the search had reached a devastating turn. Nathan Smith, the 27-year-old son of rapper Lil Jon (Jonathan Smith) and a musician known as DJ Young Slade, was reported missing after leaving his home under unusual circumstances, and the growing public concern quickly turned into a major multi-agency effort.

Police said Smith was last seen February 3, 2026, after leaving around 6 a.m. without his phone, prompting an urgent search that expanded across the area near his neighborhood. As time passed with no confirmed sightings, teams focused on Mayfield Park and nearby water, using specialized resources to assist in the search.

On Friday, February 6, authorities said divers recovered a body from a pond near Smith’s home around 11:53 a.m. Officials stated they believe it is Smith, while noting the Fulton County Medical Examiner will make the official identification and determine the cause and manner of death. Investigators also said there was no indication of foul play at this stage, but the case remains open and active.

Lil Jon later confirmed the loss in a public statement shared through media outlets, remembering his son as a talented, kind person and asking for privacy as the family grieves. Authorities echoed that request, urging the public to respect the family while investigators finalize the medical examiner’s findings and continue reviewing the circumstances.