Lil Jon’s son, DJ Young Slade, found dead: ‘I am extremely heartbroken’

MILTON, Ga. – The body of 27-year-old Nathan Murray Smith, a local performer known professionally as DJ Young Slade, was found after he was reported missing earlier this week, the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed.

Lil Jon tells TMZ he is ‘devastated’

What they’re saying:

Lil Jon told TMZ that his family is mourning the loss. In a statement to the publication, he wrote in part: 

“I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother, Nicole Smith, and I are devastated.”

Nathan Smith aka DJ Young Slade (L) and Lil Jon perform onstage during 97.1 AMP RADIO’s Amplify 2014 concert at the Hollywood Palladium on March 22, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for CBS Radio, Inc.)

Body found in Mayfield pond

What we know:

Officials said the body was recovered in a pond near Smith’s home around 11:53 a.m. Friday by the Cherokee County Fire Department. 

SKYFOX 5 was over a pond near Mayfield Road and Baldwin Drive in Milton, which is near Smith’s home, late Friday morning when they observed something being recovered from the water. 

The object was carried to a nearby tent. Dozens of first responders and the Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services Dive Team were observed at the park and in the pond before the discovery was made. 

Milton searches for missing man

The backstory:

Smith was reported missing Feb. 3 after he left his home at approximately 6 a.m. without his phone. Milton police and local agencies began a search almost immediately, posting a missing person flyer to social media Tuesday afternoon.

It was later confirmed that Smith is the son of Atlanta rapper and producer Lil Jon, whose legal name is Jonathan Smith.

On Thursday, the search concentrated on the Mayfield Park area. Law enforcement deployed several K-9 units to scour the neighborhood and nearby bodies of water, including a specialized bloodhound from the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office. A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said the bloodhound has completed 25 successful searches in the last year.

RELATED: Massive search underway in Milton for DJ Young Slade

Investigation continues

What’s next:

The Fulton County Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy on Monday. The cause and manner of death have not been determined.

Police said they do not believe there was any foul play, but detectives are still investigating.