Lil Jon’s missing son, Nathan Smith, has passed away, the rapper confirmed to Page Six Friday.
“We are absolutely heartbroken over the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother (Nicole Smith) and I are devastated,” Lil Jon (real name Jonathan Smith) said in a statement.
“Nathan was the kindest human being I have ever met. He was extremely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warm-hearted. He loved his family and the friends in his life to the fullest.”
Jonathan, 55, continued, “He was an incredibly talented young man, a music producer, artist, engineer, and graduate of New York University.
“We love Nathan dearly and are so proud of him. He was loved and appreciated, and we take comfort in knowing that we expressed those exact feelings to him the last time we spent together.”
“Thank you for all your prayers and support over the last few days in our search for him,” he concluded, sending a special shout out to everyone involved.
Milton police announced Friday that Cherokee County Fire Department divers discovered and recovered the body from a pond at Mayfield Park near Nathan’s residence in Milton, Georgia, just before 12 p.m.
Investigators believed the person was Nathan, but said the Fulton County Coroner’s Office would confirm.
“Based on the investigation to date, there is no indication of criminal activity. However, the Milton Police Department Criminal Investigation Division will continue to treat this as an open and active investigation,” the memo states.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to Mr. Smith’s family at this difficult time.”
Smith, who went by the stage name DJ Young Slade, was last seen early Tuesday morning at his home on Baldwin Drive.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department, the 27-year-old man ran out of the house because he did not have a cell phone with him.
Police described the circumstances under which Smith left the property as “unusual,” but local media outlet Rough Draft Atlanta previously reported that Smith may have been naked at the time.
Officers previously said: “He may be disoriented and may require assistance,” adding that his loved ones are “concerned for his safety.”
In a May 2014 interview with Huffington Post, Jonathan gushed about how he was “polite,” “well-mannered,” and “a really, really good kid.”
“I listen to my son…he tells me everything,” the record producer marveled at the time.
Jonathan is also the father of a one-year-old daughter, Nahara, with girlfriend Jamila Sozada.
