A 27-year-old electronic music producer known as DJ Young Slade has been missing from Milton, Ontario since the early hours of Tuesday, February 3, 2026. The last confirmed sighting of Nathan Smith — the man behind the stage name — was captured on a neighbour’s doorbell camera at approximately 6:00 a.m. as he walked alone down a quiet residential street in the Beaty neighbourhood. He has not been seen, heard from, or located since that moment.
What has turned this disappearance into a matter of grave concern is the single, five-word text message he sent to his girlfriend at 4:47 a.m.:
“I love you. Sorry.”
The brief message arrived just over an hour before his final sighting. There was no follow-up explanation, no location shared, no indication of where he was going or why. When his girlfriend returned home shortly after 8 a.m. and found the house empty, she immediately knew something was terribly wrong. Nathan’s iPhone was still sitting on the kitchen counter — screen unlocked, battery above 40%, messaging app open — but he was gone.
Halton Regional Police have classified the case as a high-priority missing-person investigation with serious concern for Nathan’s immediate safety. The five-word message has been interpreted by investigators and those closest to him as deeply troubling — a combination of affection and apology that often appears in situations involving extreme emotional distress or suicidal intent. Police have not released the full context of the note or any other writings left behind, but they have described the communication as “raising urgent concerns for his welfare.”
Nathan’s silver 2019 Honda Civic was located locked and parked near the Milton GO Station the following morning. CCTV footage shows no one matching his description entering the station or boarding a train. Authorities believe he left the vehicle on foot. Search efforts have since focused on trails along Sixteen Mile Creek, nearby conservation areas, wooded paths, and industrial zones where he was known to go when he needed space to think or work on music late at night.
Nathan Smith had been steadily building a name in the Greater Toronto Area’s electronic music scene over the past four years. Specializing in deep house, progressive, and melodic techno, he regularly performed at clubs in Toronto, Mississauga, and Hamilton, and had started securing bookings at private events and smaller festivals across southern Ontario. His Instagram account (@djyoungslade) — now flooded with worried messages, prayer emojis, and calls for information — shows a young man who smiled easily in photos, shared studio clips, and frequently expressed gratitude to fans and fellow producers. To the public, he appeared upbeat, creative, and on an upward trajectory.
Behind that image, however, those closest to him say Nathan had been struggling quietly. Friends and family have told police he had been dealing with increasing financial strain — a common reality for independent DJs and producers — as well as worsening anxiety that intensified after the pandemic slowed live events. In recent months he had begun cancelling studio sessions and social plans, often giving vague reasons such as being “too tired” or “needing to rest.” Several people who spoke with him in the days leading up to his disappearance described him as unusually withdrawn.
The music community in Toronto, Mississauga, and Hamilton has responded with overwhelming support. A Facebook group titled “Bring Nathan Smith / DJ Young Slade Home” grew to more than 12,000 members within 48 hours. Hundreds of flyers have been printed and distributed at venues where he performed. Fellow DJs and producers have organised live-stream fundraisers to cover search costs and offer a reward for credible information. On Wednesday evening, more than 300 people gathered for a candlelight vigil outside the Milton GO Station, holding signs bearing his photo and the words “Come Home Nathan.”
Close friends and family have used the moment to speak openly about mental health, particularly the silent struggles faced by men working in creative industries. They describe a culture of constant comparison, pressure to always appear successful online, and the fear of “losing momentum” that can quietly erode someone’s sense of self-worth.
As of Thursday morning, February 5, 2026, there have been no confirmed new sightings or credible leads. Halton Regional Police, supported by the OPP, Peel Regional Police, and Toronto Police Service (due to Nathan’s frequent work in the city), continue an active search involving canine units, drones, and ground teams.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Halton Regional Police at 905-878-5511 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
The phone still sits on the kitchen counter. The five-word message still glows on the screen. And the question that hangs over Milton — and over everyone who knew him — is whether that apology was a goodbye.
The search continues. So does the hope that he will come home.
