DJ Young Slade's Tragic Passing DJ Young Slade, real name Nathan Smith (also known as Nathan Murray Smith), the 27-year-old son of rapper Lil Jon, was found dead in a pond near his home in Milton, Georgia, on February 6, 2026. He had been reported missing earlier that week after leaving his residence under unusual circumstances around 6 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3—authorities noted he appeared disoriented and in need of help, but emphasized no signs of foul play.

Timeline of Events

Police and family reports paint a clear sequence:

  • Tuesday, Feb 3 : Nathan last seen "running out" of his Milton home, about 30 miles north of Atlanta; welfare check called.
  • Friday, Feb 6 : Body recovered around 11:53 a.m. from a pond near Mayfield Park by Cherokee County Fire Department.
  • Ongoing : Autopsy scheduled for Monday, Feb 9, by Fulton County Medical Examiner to determine cause and manner of death—no foul play suspected.

Lil Jon's Heartfelt Statement

Lil Jon shared profound grief publicly:

"I am profoundly saddened by the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith... Nathan was the kindest person you could ever encounter. He was incredibly compassionate, considerate, courteous, passionate, and warm-hearted—he cherished his family and friends immensely."

This echoes widespread condolences from fans and artists, highlighting Nathan's warm legacy in Atlanta's music scene as a DJ and performer.

Investigation Details

  • No foul play : Milton PD confirmed the death appears non-suspicious, focusing on circumstances of his exit from home.
  • Medical next steps : Official cause pending autopsy results, as recovery from water adds complexity—police described the exit as "unusual" but not criminal.
  • Multiple viewpoints from outlets like Variety, FOX 5 Atlanta, and NBC align: a sudden tragedy amid a search, with community shock.

Trending Reactions & Context

This story exploded online post-Friday recovery, trending as "RIP DJ Young Slade" with tributes flooding hip-hop forums and social media—fans recall his local gigs and family ties. As of February 7, 2026 (just yesterday), discussions mix sorrow with speculation on health factors, though all safe sources urge awaiting autopsy facts. Lil Jon's rare personal update amplified the buzz, humanizing the loss beyond celebrity ties.

TL;DR : Young Slade died at 27; body found in Georgia pond days after missing report—no foul play, cause pending autopsy.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.