Lil Jon’s son, Nathan Smith, was found dead after being reported missing in Georgia.
Smith (a.k.a. DJ Young Slade) was reported missing on February 3, 2026, to the Milton Police Department. Three days later, police recovered a body that was believed to be Smith in a pond near his home. Lil Jon (real name: Jonathan H. Smith) later confirmed his son’s death. Nathan was 27.
“I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of my 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,” the rapper said in a statement to Us Weekly. “He was an amazingly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer and graduate of NYU. We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him. He was loved and appreciated, and in our last times together, we’re comforted in knowing that we expressed that very sentiment to him.”
A February 25, 2026, autopsy report obtained by Us revealed that Nathan’s cause of death was due to drowning in the setting of psilocybin use.
Keep scrolling for everything to know about Nathan’s death:
What Happened to Lil Jon’s Son Nathan Smith?
The Milton Police Department confirmed via Facebook on February 6, 2026, that Nathan drowned after “divers with the Cherokee County Fire Department located and recovered a body” in a Mayfield Park pond near Nathan Smith’s home. Authorities stated that the body was “believed to be” Nathan and was “pending official confirmation by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office.” (Lil Jon later confirmed the news of Nathan’s death.)
Police confirmed there was no indication of foul play. The case remained an “open and active investigation” pending the cause of death report.
An autopsy later revealed that Nathan died due to drowning in the setting of psilocybin use.
What Did Lil Jon Say About Nathan Smith’s Death?
Two weeks after confirming Nathan Smith’s death, Lil Jon posted a tribute to his late son as the family laid him to rest.
“On the first day of Ramadan yesterday, We laid my only son to rest. In this holy month, I’m asking for extra du’a for him and for our family,” he wrote via Instagram alongside a memorial video for Smith on February 19. “I love you, son. Life will never be the same without you. Allah, give me strength.”
The musician continued, “Also thank you to everyone who has reached out with condolences, love and prayers, we appreciate you all. ❤️ I will make sure the world knows your talent and never forgets your name. Nathan Murray Smith.”
What Is Lil Jon’s Son Nathan Smith’s Cause of Death?
According to an autopsy report obtained by Us on February 25, Nathan’s Smith’s cause of death was drowning in the setting of psilocybin use. Psilocybin is also known as magic mushrooms. The report stated that Nathan’s blood sample tested positive for psilocin, which is the primary psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms.
The report also stated that Nathan had a “presumptive positive” for cannabinoids, which are compounds, like THC and CBD, that are found in cannabis plants.
The autopsy results showed no signs of injury and Nathan’s death was ruled an accident.
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