Authorities in Milton, Georgia, say a body recovered from a pond near Mayfield Park is believed to be Nathan Smith, the 27-year-old son of Grammy-winning rapper and producer Lil Jon. Smith, who performed under the name DJ Young Slade, had been the focus of a multi-day missing person search after disappearing from his neighborhood earlier in the week. Officials said formal identification was pending at the time of the recovery, and investigators found no immediate evidence of foul play. Recent U.S. news updates can be found here.
Police stressed that the investigation remains active until the Fulton County Medical Examiner completes the identification process and determines the official cause and manner of death. :contentReference[oaicite:
- A body was recovered from a pond at Mayfield Park in Milton on Friday.
- Police believe the deceased is Nathan Smith, known professionally as DJ Young Slade.
- Formal identification and medical examiner findings were still pending at the time of the recovery.
- Investigators said there was no indication of foul play based on the evidence available.
How the search unfolded
Nathan Smith was reported missing after leaving his home on Baldwin Drive during the morning of February 3 under what Milton police described as unusual circumstances. Officers said he left on foot without his cellphone, leading family members to report concerns for his safety.
The search quickly expanded beyond nearby streets as local police, firefighters, K-9 teams and emergency personnel searched wooded areas, walking trails and nearby bodies of water. As the operation continued, investigators concentrated resources around Mayfield Park, which sits close to Smith’s residence. :contentReference[oaicite:1]
Dive teams recovered a body from the park pond
On Friday morning, divers from the Cherokee County Fire Department searched the pond inside Mayfield Park. Shortly before noon, crews recovered a body from the water, bringing the missing person search to an end.
Milton Police later announced that the individual is believed to be Nathan Smith, although official confirmation would come only after examination by the Fulton County Medical Examiner. Authorities emphasized that investigators had found no evidence suggesting criminal activity but would continue reviewing all available information before closing the case. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
For official updates, visit the CBS News Atlanta report or statements released by the Milton Police Department.
Who was DJ Young Slade?
Nathan Smith, professionally known as DJ Young Slade, was building a music career of his own as a producer, DJ and recording artist. Although widely recognized as Lil Jon’s son, he had worked on developing his own projects within Atlanta’s music community while keeping a relatively low public profile.
Following the recovery, Lil Jon and Smith’s mother released a statement describing Nathan as a caring, thoughtful and compassionate person while asking for privacy as the family grieves. :contentReference[oaicite:3]
The investigation will now depend on the medical examiner’s examination, which will formally identify the body and determine the official cause and manner of death. Police have asked the public to avoid speculation while that process is completed.
Cases involving missing persons often remain open after a recovery so investigators can review evidence, complete forensic examinations and verify all circumstances before issuing final findings. Any additional updates are expected to come from the Milton Police Department and the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office
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