Tributes pour in for ‘heart of gold’ London DJ, 38, who died at festival

She was found unconscious in her tent

A woman who was found unconscious in her tent at Houghton Festival in Norfolk has been named as a London DJ, Santanna Oush(Santanna Maria Ally). The 38-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene on Sunday, August 9, despite the efforts of on-site staff.

Norfolk Police have said that they do not believe there were any suspicious circumstances around the DJ’s death. Houghton’s organisers issued a statement to their Instagram page after the incident, saying: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that a person has passed away at Houghton 2026.

“Our thoughts are entirely with their family and loved ones at this difficult time. We are grateful to our on-site medical team, event response team and to Norfolk Constabulary, who all responded immediately. We continue to work closely with the relevant authorities to support in any way we can their investigations.”

Since the Ibiza and London-based DJ was identified, tributes have poured in from across the music scene and beyond. A hgoel and music venue, Pikes Ibiza issued a heartfelt tribute after the news.

They said: “Too many artists leave this world without ever sharing their art… their music… their voice,’ reads an Instagram post written by the truly inimitable Santanna Oush just a little earlier this year.

“Having been a part of the Pikes family for well over a decade, our entire team is shocked, saddened and heartbroken at the news of her passing.”

Another DJ in the scene, Bushwacka, posted a tribute to the late London-born DJ on his Instagram. He said, “A tragic loss, Santanna Oush brought so much love and laughter to many of us. I’ve been processing since hearing about this a week ago – it’s so sad – sometimes tragedy like this is totally out of anyone else’s control in the moment.

“There needs to be more open conversation around the connotations of fragile mental health in our industry and beyond. This has landed so close to home , having experienced the loss of several friends in the last year in our circles. Sending love to all affected by this devastating event.”

Since the news of her death, her friend Marcus Eppy has organised a fundraiser for her funeral with the target of £3,500; this has now reached £9,970 at the time of publication. Here is the link to the fundraiser.

Marcus described his late friend as always having a “heart of gold” and said that she was a “very much loved daughter, sister, auntie, granddaughter and much loved friend”.