Milton, Ontario is still reeling from the sudden disappearance of 27-year-old Nathan Smith, better known in local music circles as DJ Young Slade. The last confirmed sighting of the popular electronic music producer and DJ occurred around 6 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, when he was captured on a neighbor’s doorbell camera walking alone down the street near his residence in the Beaty neighbourhood. He has not been seen or heard from since.
What has turned a missing-person case into a community-wide source of deep concern and speculation is the handwritten note authorities say Nathan left behind on the kitchen counter of the home he shared with his girlfriend. Police have described the contents only in general terms, calling the message “deeply troubling” and “raising serious concerns for his immediate safety.” Sources close to the investigation say the note contains expressions of profound despair, references to feeling like a burden, and a tone that investigators interpret as consistent with suicidal ideation.
The note was discovered shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday when his girlfriend returned home from an early shift and realized Nathan was not in bed. She immediately called friends and family, then police. Officers arrived within the hour and confirmed the note’s existence. While its exact wording has not been released publicly, law-enforcement officials have emphasized that the language was “clearly written by someone in extreme emotional distress” and contained no indication that Nathan planned to harm anyone else.
Nathan Smith / DJ Young Slade had been building a solid local following over the past four years. Known for his melodic deep-house and progressive sets, he regularly played at clubs in Toronto, Mississauga, and Hamilton, and had begun booking private events and small festivals in the GTA. His Instagram account (@djyoungslade) — now filled with worried comments and prayer emojis — shows a young man who smiled easily in photos, frequently posted studio shots, and shared appreciation posts for his fans and fellow DJs. To the outside world, he appeared to be living the dream of any independent electronic artist: steady gigs, growing playlist placements, and a tight circle of creative friends.
Behind the scenes, however, those closest to him say he had been struggling quietly for months. Friends and family have told investigators that Nathan had been dealing with mounting financial pressure (common among independent DJs/producers), anxiety that had worsened since the pandemic slowed live events, and what he described in private conversations as “feeling like I’m letting everyone down.” Several people who spoke with him in the days leading up to his disappearance said he seemed unusually withdrawn, canceling studio sessions and social plans with vague excuses.
The last known communication from Nathan was a short text message sent to his girlfriend at 4:47 a.m. Tuesday: “I love you. I’m sorry.” She initially thought he was simply working late in his home studio, a habit he had developed when inspiration struck in the middle of the night. When she returned and found the house empty — lights still on, laptop open on the kitchen table, coffee cup half full — alarm bells rang.
Police immediately launched a large-scale search. Milton and Halton Regional Police, assisted by OPP, Peel Regional Police, and Toronto Police (due to Nathan’s frequent work in the city), have been combing wooded areas, trails along Sixteen Mile Creek, conservation lands, and industrial zones where he sometimes went to clear his head. Canine units, drones, and ground teams have been deployed, with particular focus on locations Nathan was known to visit when stressed.
A silver 2019 Honda Civic registered to Nathan was found parked and locked near the Milton GO Station early Wednesday morning. There is no indication he boarded a train; CCTV footage shows no one matching his description entering the station. Police believe he may have left the vehicle on foot.
The community response has been overwhelming. A Facebook group titled “Bring Nathan Smith Home” surpassed 8,000 members within 48 hours. Flyers have been printed and posted across Milton, Oakville, Burlington, and downtown Toronto venues where he performed. Fellow DJs and producers have shared stories of Nathan’s kindness — how he mentored younger artists, shared stems and tips freely, and always checked in on friends who were struggling. A candlelight vigil was held Wednesday night outside the Milton GO station, drawing more than 200 people.
Mental-health advocates have quietly urged the public to use this moment to talk openly about the silent epidemic of male suicide and the unique pressures faced by independent creatives. Nathan’s disappearance — and the note he left — has become a painful reminder that outward success does not always reflect inner peace.
As of Thursday morning, February 5, 2026, there have been no new confirmed sightings. Halton police continue to treat the case as a high-priority missing-person investigation with serious concern for Nathan’s welfare. Anyone with information is urged to call 905-878-5511 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
For now, Milton — and the wider music community — waits.
The man behind DJ Young Slade is still missing.
The note he left behind remains the only trace he chose to leave.
And the people who love him are praying it is not the final one.