Rapper Lil Jon has confirmed the heartbreaking news that his son Nathan Smith, 27, has been found dead after being reported missing earlier this week.
Smith went missing on Tuesday, Feb. 3, prompting a frantic search by loved ones and authorities after he ‘had left his residence under unusual circumstances’, and without carrying his phone.
Sadly, however, just three days later, the Milton Police Department in Georgia announced they had recovered a body that they believe to be Smith, from a pond in Mayfield Park near to his home.
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Speaking in a statement released on Friday Feb 6, the Milton Police Department said: “On the morning of February 3, 2026, Milton Police Department officers responded to a report of a missing adult in the area of Baldwin Drive in Milton, Georgia.
“Responding officers determined that a Milton resident, Nathan Smith, had left his residence under unusual circumstances and could not be located.
“The Milton Police Department immediately began search efforts and coordinated with multiple partner agencies that assisted in searching for Mr. Smith over the following several days.
“After being unable to locate Mr. Smith during that time, teams expanded the search to include a pond in Mayfield Park near Smith’s Milton residence.“On February 6, 2026, at approximately 11:53 a.m., divers with the Cherokee County Fire Department located and recovered a body from the pond.
“The individual is believed to be Nathan Smith, pending official confirmation by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office.”
The Police Department went on to add that there is ‘no evidence of foul play’, however, they will continue to ‘treat this as an open and active investigation’.
Following Friday’s announcement, Lil Jon broke his silence regarding his son’s tragic passing, as he paid tribute to one of the ‘kindest human beings’ you could ever ask to meet.
In a post shared on Instagram, the grieving dad wrote: « I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother and I are devastated, » he said. « 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. »
The statement continued, « 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.” »Thank you for all of the prayers and support in trying to locate him over the last several days, » the statement concluded. « Thank you to the entire Milton Police Department involved: Detective Dula Milton, Investigators Sergeant Scott Lappin, Detective Randy Dula, Detective Sarah Moore, and Detective Daniel Williams. Sandy Springs Police Department, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Haralson County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee Fire Department, Forsyth County Fire Department, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia K9 Team Search and Recovery, and multiple volunteers, as well as the Milton Fire Department and Cherokee Rescue and Dive Team, and Craig Brazemen. »
After following in his famous dad’s footsteps, Nathan had begun to carve a career for himself as a DJ and musician, who performed under the name DJ Young Slade or Slade. He released his latest single, ‘Feels’, in March 2025.
Reflecting on the role Lil Jon had played in his love for performing, Smith told The Quintessential Gentleman last year: « It’s dope to appreciate my dad, show respect, and just look at all the things he’s done, and it’s nice to get the torch passed down and do my own thing.
“Because it’s like it comes from him, but also I’m definitely taking it and making it my own. »
The mother of Adriana Smith, an Atlanta woman who was declared brain dead whilst pregnant, has given an update on the newborn months after its mother’s life support was switched off.
Smith was a registered nurse and mom-to-be when she suffered a medical emergency in February 2025. Doctors at Emory University Hospital later declared her brain-dead.
However, the experts felt they were legally obligated to keep Smith on life support after she was found to be around nine weeks pregnant.
This was due to the so-called ‘heartbeat bill’ that Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law in 2019 to prevent abortions from being performed once fetal cardiac activity is detected, which typically occurs at about six weeks’ gestation.
Smith eventually gave birth to a son, and her life support was shut off four days later, on June 17.
In a new update, the woman’s family have said that the newborn continues to fight for his life.
According to reports, the child, who has since been named Chance, weighed just 1 lb. 13 oz. when he was born via emergency cesarean section on June 13.
Smith’s mother, April Newkirk, has recently revealed that Chance now weighs under 5lbs.
It’s understood he will potentially be able to leave medical care at the end of September or at the beginning of October.
« His weight is gradually picking up, but the breathing is what we’re concerned with, » Newkirk said on Wednesday (August 27), as reported by PEOPLE magazine.
“So, he’s making a little bit of progress, but still some things to do. »
Newkirk previously said that the family ‘just want prayers’ for Chance so he can become healthy and strong.
Adriana Smith’s mother details ‘torturous’ months
Newkirk has said it has been ‘hard’ to deal with Smith’s death over the last couple of months.
She confessed to 11Alive: “Something’s been taken away from us, it’s hard. You know, I think about her every day, all the time.
The bereaved mother has previously been vocal regarding the decision to keep her child alive throughout her pregnancy, remarking it was ‘torture’ to watch her suffer.
“She’s been breathing through machines for more than 90 days,” she once explained.
“It’s torture for me. I see my daughter breathing, but she’s not there. And her son — I bring him to see her.”
Why was Adriana Smith kept alive?
The Life Act, ushered in following the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade, states that ‘no abortion shall be performed’ in the state of Georgia six weeks after gestation.
The legislation only becomes void if the pregnant woman suffers ‘a medical emergency or medically futile pregnancy’.
Despite suffering her own medical emergency, doctors at Emory University Hospital believed switching off Smith’s life support would violate these laws.
They therefore kept the woman alive until her baby was born, causing experts and Smiths’ family to debate the ethical implications of the heartbeat bill.
“I want them to know that this didn’t have to happen,” said Newkirk of the medical experts’ decision.“I want them to know that the law needs to be changed. It doesn’t need to be altered. It doesn’t need to be in effect at all. Women have rights; it’s their body, » she added.
Previously, Emory Healthcare has said that its staff makes medical recommendations for patients using many factors.
“The top priorities at Emory Healthcare continue to be the safety and wellbeing of the patients and families we serve,” a spokesperson told ABC News.
“Emory Healthcare uses consensus from clinical experts, medical literature and legal guidance to support our providers as they make medical recommendations.
« Emory Healthcare is legally required to maintain the confidentiality of the protected health information of our patients, which is why we are unable to comment on individual matters and circumstances.”
The Osbourne family were visibly moved by a tribute paid to Ozzy Osbourne at tonight’s Grammys (February 1).
The lead singer of Black Sabbath died at the age of 76 in July 2025, just weeks after the legendary rock band did a farewell concern in Birmingham, UK.
Confirming his passing, his family said in a statement on July 22: « It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning.
« He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time. »
To pay homage to the late Prince Of Darkness at tonight’s Grammys (February 1), Post Malone, Guns N’ Roses’ Slash and Duff McKagan, The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith, and Osbourne’s producer Andrew Watt – all of whom collaborated with Ozzy in recent years – took the stage at the Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena.As the group of musicians’ performance of Black Sabbath’s ‘War Pigs’ drew to a close, a large black and white photo of Ozzy was put on the screen.
The camera then panned to show Sharon, Jack, and Kelly Osbourne in the crowd and they were all moved to tears.
« What a powerful tribute, » someone said of the performance, adding: « You could feel the love and respect in every note. Seeing the Osbournes so emotional made this hit even harder. »
« Best performance of the night so far. Did not expect that, » another penned.
A third said of the moving tribute: « That tribute to Ozzy was absolutely crushingly awesome. What a performance by those guys. »
The performance follows Yungblud paying homage to Ozzy in his speech, while accepting the Grammy for Best Rock Performance.
He took Sharon up on stage with him to accept that accolade and went on to recall one of his final conversations with the Black Sabbath icon.
« The last time I saw Ozzy Osbourne, you asked me if there was anything you could do for me, » Yungblud said.
« I answered that the music was enough and I can safely say on behalf of all of us that it still stands now and it will do forever. »
He went on: « You’ll be with me every time I’m nervous, and on stage at every show. God bless rock music and God bless f**king Ozzy Osbourne. »
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email info@grievewell.com.
Grammys 2026 nominations
Record Of The Year
DtMF – Bad Bunny
Manchild – Sabrina Carpenter
Anxiety – Doechii
WILDFLOWER – Billie Eilish
Abracadabra – Lady Gaga
luther – Kendrick Lamar With SZA (winner)
The Subway – Chappell Roan
APT. – ROSÉ, Bruno Mars
Album Of The Year
DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS – Bad Bunny
SWAG – Justin Bieber
Man’s Best Friend – Sabrina Carpenter
Let God Sort Em Out – Clipse, Pusha T & Malice
MAYHEM – Lady Gaga
GNX – Kendrick Lamar
MUTT – Leon Thomas
CHROMAKOPIA – Tyler, The Creator
Song Of The Year
Abracadabra – Lady Gaga
Anxiety – Doechii
APT – ROSÉ, Bruno Mars
DtMF – Bad Bunny
Golden — From KPop Demon Hunters
Luther – Kendrick Lamar With SZA
Manchild – Sabrina Carpenter
WILDFLOWER – Billie Eilish (winner)
Best New Artist
Olivia Dean (winner)
KATSEYE
The Marias
Addison Rae
sombr
Leon Thomas
Alex Warren
Lola Young
Best Pop Solo Performance
DAISIES – Justin Bieber
Manchild – Sabrina Carpenter
Disease – Lady Gaga
The Subway – Chappell Roan
Messy – Lola Young (winner)
Best Rock Performance
U Should Not Be Doing That – Amyl and The Sniffers
The Emptiness Machine – Linkin Park
NEVER ENOUGH – Turnstile
Mirtazapine – Hayley Williams
Changes (Live From Villa Park) Back To The Beginning – YUNGBLUD Ft Nuno Bettencourt, Frank Bello, Adam Wakeman, II (winner)
Best R&B Performance
YUKON – Justin Bieber
It Depends – Chris Brown Featuring Bryson Tiller
Folded – Kehlani (winner)
MUTT (Live From NPR’s Tiny Desk) – Leon Thomas
Heart Of A Woman – Summer Walker
Best Rap Performance
Outside – Cardi B
Chains & Whips – Clipse, Pusha T & Malice Featuring Kendrick Lamar & Pharrell Williams
Anxiety – Doechii
tv off – Kendrick Lamar Ft Lefty Gunplay (winner)
Darling, I – Tyler, The Creator Ft Teezo Touchdown
Best Music Video
Young Lion – Sade
Manchild – Sabrina Carpenter
So Be It – Clipse
Anxiety – Doechii (winner)
Love – OK Go
