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Lil Jon's Son Nathan Smith's Cause of Death Revealed
An autopsy report obtained by People revealed the 27-year-old's cause of death after he was found in a nearby pond.
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
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Officials have determined that Nathan Smith, the 27-year-old son of rapper and producer Lil Jon, died by "drowning in the setting of psilocybin use," according to an autopsy report obtained by People. Smith, known professionally as DJ Young Slade, was reported missing from his Milton, Georgia, home and later recovered from a nearby pond during a multi-agency search.
Why it matters
The ruling provided clarity after Smith's death, which had initially been reported as an open and active investigation with no indication of foul play. The autopsy report sheds light on the circumstances surrounding his tragic passing.
The details
The Fulton County Medical Examiner concluded Smith's cause of death was 'drowning in the setting of psilocybin use,' and the manner of death was an accident. A blood sample tested positive for psilocybin, which the report described as 'a pharmacologically active hallucinogenic compound of psilocybin—hallucinogenic mushrooms.' The report also noted Smith's body was recovered from a retention pond and documented water-immersion wrinkling in his hands.
- On February 6, a body believed to be Smith's was found by divers with the Cherokee County Fire Department in a pond near his residence.
- Days earlier, police had issued a missing persons report for Smith, noting that he was on foot and was not in possession of a phone.
The players
Nathan Smith
The 27-year-old son of rapper and producer Lil Jon, known professionally as DJ Young Slade.
Lil Jon
A rapper and producer, the father of Nathan Smith.
Nicole Smith
The mother of Nathan Smith.
Fulton County Medical Examiner
The medical examiner's office that conducted the autopsy and determined the cause and manner of Nathan Smith's death.
Milton Police Department
The law enforcement agency that investigated Nathan Smith's disappearance and death.
What they’re saying
“I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother [Nicole Smith] and I are devastated.”
— Lil Jon (Newsweek)
“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.”
— Lil Jon (Newsweek)
The takeaway
The tragic death of Lil Jon's son Nathan Smith highlights the dangers of psilocybin use and the importance of mental health awareness, especially among young adults. This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the need for greater education and support around substance use and its potential consequences.
