Hope faded into grief after days of searching, as authorities in Georgia confirmed the death of Nathan Smith, the 27-year-old son of rapper Lil Jon.
Nathan, known professionally as DJ Young Slade, had been reported missing earlier in the week after he was last seen running from his home in Milton, Georgia.
His disappearance prompted a multi-day search involving local law enforcement and other agencies, as family and supporters waited anxiously for updates.
Officials later recovered his body from a nearby pond. Police stated there is currently no evidence of foul play, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The news brought an outpouring of sadness from fans and the music community, many of whom had followed Nathan’s growing career.
Lil Jon confirmed the loss in an emotional Instagram post, describing his son as kind, talented, and deeply loved by those who knew him.
A graduate of New York University, Nathan was a rising music producer and engineer who had collaborated with his father on several projects.
The family thanked authorities and volunteers for their efforts and requested privacy as they mourn, while tributes continue honoring DJ Young Slade’s life and legacy.
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💔 What happened at 79th & May looked like a random daylight execution… until a private home camera quietly changed everything. On February 4, 2026, at around 1:25 p.m. on Chicago’s South Side, 26-year-old Gabryel Gnia Ayres — “Gabby” — was sitting in the front passenger seat of a white car. Her boyfriend was driving. A baby girl just over one year old was strapped into the back seat. Seconds later, a red SUV appeared, 3–4 suspects dressed in black and wearing masks opened fire — more than 50 shots tearing through the middle of the day. Gabby was hit multiple times and did not survive. The driver was seriously wounded but lived. And somehow, impossibly, the baby was not hit by a single bullet. Police say there have been no arrests. The family is devastated. The community is grieving. But a residential security camera, never meant to be part of the investigation, recorded where the shooters went next. And in doing so, it may have revealed who they really are.
💔 RIP Gabby Ayres — A daylight shooting that seemed clear-cut… until her boyfriend woke up and spoke his first words. On February 4, 2026, at around 1:25 p.m. at 79th & May on Chicago’s South Side, Gabryel Gnia Ayres — “Gabby,” 26 — was sitting in the front passenger seat of a white car. Her boyfriend was driving. A baby girl just over 1 year old was in the back seat. Just seconds later, a red SUV suddenly rushed toward them. According to multiple sources, 3–4 suspects dressed in black and wearing masks opened fire in a frenzied attack — more than 50 shots ripping through the middle of the day. Gabby was struck multiple times and did not survive. The driver was seriously wounded but lived. And the one thing no one can explain: the baby in the back seat was not hit by a single bullet. Viral videos show the horrifying scene: the car attempting to escape, crashing into a van, while the attackers continued shooting before disappearing into a busy street. Chicago police have made no arrests. The family and community are devastated. But everything began to take a different turn when the boyfriend regained consciousness. His first statement left investigators — and everyone following the case — completely stunned.
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