The official cause of death has been released for Nathan Smith, the 27-year-old son of rapper Lil Jon.
According to an autopsy report issued by the Fulton County Medical Examiner, Smith died from drowning in the setting of psilocybin use, with authorities ruling the manner of death an accident.
The report, obtained by the Daily Mail on Friday, states that toxicology testing detected psilocybin – the psychoactive compound found in hallucinogenic mushrooms – in his system.
Smith’s body was recovered on February 6 from a retention pond near the family’s home in Milton, Georgia, days after he had been reported missing under what police described as ‘unusual circumstances.’
The autopsy further detailed that he had been submerged in water for a period of time, with examiners noting physical signs consistent with prolonged immersion, including pronounced wrinkling of his hands.
The aspiring musician, who performed under the name DJ Young Slade, had been missing for three days before the discovery was made.
The heartbreaking update comes as Lil Jon, 55 – whose real name is Jonathan Smith – recently paid tribute to his son, writing that life will ‘never be the same’ without him.
Sharing a string of photos of his son, Lil Jon wrote: ‘On the first day of Ramadan yesterday, We laid my only son to rest.
‘In this holy month, I’m asking for extra du’a for him and for our family. Please pray that Allah grants him Jannah and grants us sabr, mercy, and strength. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.
‘I love you, son. Life will never be the same without you. Allah, give me strength.’
The Damn I Love Miami hitmaker went on to express his thanks to those who had ‘reached out with condolences, love, and prayers.’
Just hours after the tragic discovery, Lil Jon posted a heartbreaking slideshow set to Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s One Sweet Day, sharing intimate throwback photos of him with Nathan during his childhood.
In the throwback images, the hip-hop star could be seen dozing beside his young son.
Another photo captured Lil Jon cradling Nathan as an infant, with the child’s mother, Nicole, smiling brightly beside them.
‘This hurts so bad. I LOVE YOU SON,’ the rapper wrote alongside the emotional tribute.
Lil Jon and Nicole welcomed Nathan in 1998 and later married in Puerto Rico in 2004.
After nearly two decades together, the pair announced in 2022 that they had separated amicably.
The music producer moved on in 2024, beginning a relationship with Jamila Sozahdah. The couple later welcomed a daughter, Nahara, that same year.