Daniel Williams, the former drummer for the metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada, died in a private jet crash in San Diego, California, on May 22, 2025. Williams, aged 39, had shared images from inside the aircraft on Instagram just hours before the incident, including a view from the cockpit. He tagged his longtime colleague and talent agent, Dave Shapiro, 42, who also perished in the crash.
Williams and Shapiro were among six people aboard the Cessna 550. The aircraft struck a powerline and crashed near Murphy Canyon in San Diego’s Tierrasanta neighborhood at approximately 3:45 a.m. local time.
All six individuals on the plane were killed. The others were identified as Emma L. Huke, 25; Celina Marie Rose Kenyon, 36; Kendall Fortner, 24; and Dominic Damian.
Eight additional people sustained injuries, all of whom were on the ground. According to police, the fatalities “appear to have been in the aircraft,” and about 100 residents had to evacuate due to hazardous debris and jet fuel spillage. Approximately 10 homes were damaged.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl described the scene as overwhelming, stating, “Everything on fire all at once, it was pretty horrific to see.” Audio from liveATC.net recorded a last transmission from the plane’s pilot, indicating they were about three miles from Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, their intended destination.
The aircraft, which began its journey in New Jersey, had refueled in Kansas before heading to San Diego. Investigations by the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are ongoing, with no official cause identified yet.
Sound Talent Group, co-founded by Shapiro, confirmed his and two other employees’ deaths in a statement to Billboard, expressing condolences to all affected and requesting privacy for the families involved.
Shapiro owned and piloted the plane, which he purchased in July. He was also the owner of Velocity Records.
In an Instagram post hours before the crash, Williams shared a photo of himself in the copilot’s seat, captioning it “Flying back with @davevelocity,” referencing Shapiro. This post has circulated widely among fans and musicians within the metal community.
The Devil Wears Prada, which Williams joined in its early days in Dayton, Ohio, paid tribute on Instagram, stating, “No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.” Williams was with the band until 2016, helping them achieve top ten positions on Billboard’s 200 albums chart with releases like Zombie (2010) and Dead Throne (2011). The band also performed well on Billboard’s Top Hard Rock Albums chart.
After leaving the band, Williams transitioned to a tech career, working as a senior software architect at GoPro, according to his Instagram profile. His ability to navigate both the music and tech industries earned him respect from peers in both fields.
Preliminary reports indicate that poor weather conditions, including thick fog, contributed to the crash. Reports also noted multiple airport malfunctions, such as non-functional runway lights and a faulty weather alert system.
