Authorities have officially confirmed the cause of death of Nathan Smith, the 27-year-old son of rapper Lil Jon. Weeks after his body was recovered from a pond near his home in Milton, the Fulton County Medical Examiner has determined that Smith died by drowning.
Nathan Smith, also known as DJ Young, was reported missing on February 3 under what police described as unusual circumstances. A search effort was launched soon after, involving local law enforcement and emergency teams. After several days without success, the operation expanded to include nearby areas, including Mayfield Park, located close to Smith’s residence.
On February 6, divers from the Cherokee County Fire Department recovered a body from a retention pond within the park. The remains were later confirmed to be those of Nathan Smith.
Following the recovery, the Fulton County Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. According to reports, the official findings concluded that Smith’s death was the result of “drowning in the setting of psilocybin use,” with the manner of death classified as accidental.
The toxicology analysis revealed the presence of psilocybin in Smith’s system. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound found in certain types of mushrooms. While the report did not suggest foul play, it highlighted that the compound may have contributed to the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Additional details included observations consistent with prolonged water immersion, such as wrinkling of the skin on Smith’s hands. The report also confirmed that his body had been located in a retention pond, aligning with earlier statements from local authorities about the discovery site.
Police officials had previously indicated that there were no immediate signs of criminal activity connected to the case. However, they noted that the investigation remained open as part of standard procedure.
In the days following the tragic discovery, Lil Jon released a heartfelt statement expressing the family’s grief. He described the loss as devastating and spoke about Nathan’s character and achievements.
According to the statement, Nathan was remembered as a compassionate and thoughtful individual who deeply valued his relationships with family and friends. He was also recognized for his creative pursuits, having built a career in music production and engineering.
Lil Jon noted that his son was a graduate of New York University and had shown great promise as an artist. The rapper expressed pride in Nathan’s accomplishments and emphasized the love shared within the family.
The statement also conveyed gratitude to those who offered prayers and support during what he described as an extremely difficult time. He acknowledged the comfort found in knowing that their love and appreciation for Nathan had always been expressed openly.
The confirmation of the cause of death brings clarity to a case that had drawn public attention due to the circumstances of Smith’s disappearance. While the findings point to an accidental drowning, the incident underscores the broader importance of awareness surrounding safety and substance use.
As the family continues to mourn, the focus remains on remembering Nathan’s life and contributions rather than the tragic circumstances of his passing.
