Rapper Lil Jon has announced the death of his 27-year-old son, music producer Nathan Smith, known professionally as DJ Young Slade.
Lil Jon wrote on Instagram: “I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our 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 warm-hearted — 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 a 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.”
The singer did not disclose the cause of his son’s death; however, The Hollywood Reporter said that Smith was reported missing last Tuesday. According to local authorities, they had determined that he had left his home in Milton, Georgia, in North Fulton County under unusual circumstances, and family members were unable to locate him. Over the days that followed, the search party for Smith grew in size, and late on Friday morning search and rescue divers with the Cherokee County Fire Department located and recovered a body in the water of a pond at nearby Mayfield Park.
The Milton Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division aid foul play is not suspected, but the case remains under investigation. “We extend our deepest condolences to the Smith family during this difficult time,” the Milton Police Department added in its statement.
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