TMZ has shared that Nathan Smith, the 27-year-old son of rapper Lil Jon, known in the music world as DJ Young Slade, has tragically passed away. 

His body was discovered on Friday (Feb. 6) in a pond near his Milton, GA home, just days after he went missing, leaving family, friends, and fans reeling from the shock.

Lil Jon shared the news in a statement for TMZ: 

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

Nathan's mom, Nicole Smith, and Lil Jon have also asked for privacy as they mourn their son, and have thanked the local police department. The news comes just days after Georgia’s Milton Police Department issued a missing-person alert for Smith earlier this week. 

Authorities said Smith was last seen early Tuesday morning near Baldwin Drive and Mayfield Road. Police said Smith left his home on foot at about 6 a.m. without a phone and may have been disoriented, a detail that only heightened concern for his well-being.

No further details surrounding Nathan's death have been shared.