UPDATE The police have revealed that cocaine was found in Alex Omes' condo after his death.
Word spread on social media today that Ultra Music Festival cofounder and longtime Miami nightlife fixture Alex Omes has passed away at the age of 43.
According to the medical examiner's office, Omes died Monday at 10:37 p.m. No other details were provided.
Omes' greatest legacy was the creation of Ultra in 1999 with then-partner Russell Faibisch. The festival would go on to become one of the largest dance music events in North America. And it even eventually eclipsed Winter Music Conference, which had been the reason so many DJs and dance acts came to Miami in March in the first place.
See also: Alex Omes: Family, Friends, and DJs Remember the Ultra Cofounder
"The organizers of Ultra Music Festival extend their deepest condolences to the family of Alex Omes and are saddened by the news of his passing," Ultra said in a statement sent to New Times. "We will continue to remember and celebrate Alex for his love, passion, and contributions to the electronic dance music community."
In 2010, Omes found himself pushed out of Ultra after conflict arose over the festival's decision to break off from WMC. Two years later, he filed a lawsuit to regain control, continuing to claim co-ownership of Ultra.
However, Omes wasted no time getting back on his feet. In 2011 and 2012, he, along with partner Emi Guerra, staged several successful events around the city with Swedish House Mafia.
In 2012, he and Guerra also announced a new music festival, UR1, slated to star Kanye West and Lou Reed. But ultimately, it would be canceled due to rumored slow ticket sales.
Before his involvement with Ultra, Omes was publisher of D'VOX magazine, which highlighted Miami's burgeoning dance music culture, and he also worked as a bouncer at Cameo during the '90s.
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