Stephanie Ornelas, better known as DJ Stef, passed away at her San Francisco home on Sunday morning. According to reports, she suffered a heart attack. She was 55.
Ornelas grew up in the Bay Area, attending Concord’s Mt. Diablo High School and San Francisco State University. In the ’90s she founded Vinyl Exchange, a fanzine for record collectors and crate diggers. A talented graphic designer, she was passionate about music and spreading the word both online and in print.
Ornelas had just finished a third-Saturday summer residency at Drake’s Dealership in Uptown Oakland.
There’s been an outpouring of love for Stef on social media, including reflections from El-P, Prince Paul and DJ Z-Trip.
Man, can’t believe it… RIP @djstef415 – Bay Area icon and amazing lady on top of that
— DJ Z-TRIP (@ztrip) October 2, 2017
My deepest condolences to the family of @djstef415 . news you never want to hear
— DJ Prince Paul (@DJPrincePaul) October 2, 2017
heartbroken to hear about dj stef passing. truly a lovely, kind soul.
— el-p (@therealelp) October 2, 2017