Police Recover Body Believed to Be Son of Rapper Lil Jon in Georgia

The authorities in Georgia have reportedly found a body thought to be Nathan Smith, the son of renowned rapper Lil Jon. Smith’s disappearance was reported on February 3, as confirmed by the Milton Police Department. Authorities released a statement on Friday detailing their response to a missing person report in Milton, Georgia, focused on the Baldwin Drive area.

The police statement revealed that Nathan Smith, a resident of Milton, unexpectedly left his home and was not reachable. The Milton Police initiated a search operation promptly and collaborated with various agencies to locate Smith over the subsequent days.

After initial efforts came up short, the search expanded to a nearby pond in Mayfield Park, in close proximity to Smith’s residence. At about 11:53 a.m. on Friday, divers from the Cherokee County Fire Department successfully recovered a body believed to be Nathan Smith’s from the pond. Official identification by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office is still awaited.

While the current evidence does not suggest foul play, the investigation remains open, with the criminal investigations division continuing its work until the cause and manner of death are officially established. No further information will be disclosed until these details are confirmed, the statement said.

The Milton Police Department expressed their deepest sympathies to the Smith family during this trying time, urging the public and media to respect the family’s request for privacy as they mourn their loss.

Lil Jon’s representative provided a statement to ABC News on Friday from the rapper himself, expressing profound heartbreak over the loss of Nathan. “Nathan was the kindest human being you would ever meet,” Lil Jon’s message read, describing his son as “caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted,” with a deep affection for his family and friends.

Reflecting on Nathan’s talents, Lil Jon highlighted his son’s skills as a music producer, artist, and engineer, as well as a proud NYU graduate. “We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him,” the rapper shared, noting the comfort in having expressed this love to him.

Lil Jon also expressed gratitude to everyone who supported their search efforts, alongside the Milton Police Department and various rescue groups that aided during those critical days.

Nathan Smith was born in 1998 to Lil Jon and Nicole Smith, who later got married in 2004 before amicably separating in 2022. A cherished figure, Nathan recalled to The Quintessential Gentleman in March 2025 his excitement at joining his father at a DJ event. “I just saw him rocking the crowd… I was so excited to be here,” Nathan shared, leading to his pursuit of a passion in music after a spark ignited by his father’s performances.