Lil Jon’s son, DJ Young Slade, has died.
Lil Jon confirmed the death after authorities in Georgia said they believed they had found his body in a nearby pond.
"I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith,” Lil Jon said in a statement to TMZ.
“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.”
"He was an amazingly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer, and graduate of NYU,” Jon added. “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.”
On Friday morning, Milton Police said that the Cherokee County Fire Dept. discovered a body in a park pond while they had been searching for the 27-year-old. Police thought it was Young Slade—born Nathan Smith—but were still waiting on the local medical examiner to confirm the body’s identity and cause of death.
At the time that authorities found the body, they found no indication of foul play, though the investigation remains open and active.
News emerged on Tuesday that Slade was missing.
“[Smith] ran out of his house and has been missing since,” police said. “[Smith] left on foot and does not possess a phone. He may be disoriented and in need of assistance. Family and friends are concerned for his safety.”
Slade was following in his father’s musical footsteps. Just last year, he spoke about becoming an artist, crediting his father with teaching him to “keep going” and “work hard” at his craft.
“It’s trippy because I just see him as Dad, but everybody sees him as Lil Jon,” Slad told Big Facts Network.
