Lil Jon is mourning the devastating loss of his son.
The body of 27-year-old Nathan Murray Smith, a local performer known as DJ Young Slade, was found Friday morning after he was reported missing earlier in the week, according to the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Smith was discovered in a pond near his home in Milton, Georgia.
In a joint statement shared on Instagram, Lil Jon and Smith’s mother, Nicole, expressed their heartbreak. “I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith,” the message read. “His mother and I are devastated.”
They described Nathan as “the kindest human being you would ever meet,” adding that he was “immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted.”
The statement also noted his musical talent and education, calling him a producer, artist, engineer, and an NYU graduate. “We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him,” they wrote.
Smith was reported missing on Feb. 3 after leaving home without his phone. Multiple law enforcement agencies and volunteers joined the search before his body was recovered on Friday at approximately 11:53 a.m.
Authorities say no foul play is suspected, though an investigation is ongoing. An autopsy is scheduled, and the cause of death has not yet been determined.