Daniel Williams, the former drummer of the metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada, died in a private jet crash in San Diego, California, in the early hours of May 22, 2025. The 39-year-old had shared cockpit photos on Instagram hours before the incident, tagging Dave Shapiro, 42, his longtime associate and talent agent, who also perished in the crash.
Williams and Shapiro were among six individuals aboard the Cessna 550, which collided with a powerline and crashed near Murphy Canyon in the Tierrasanta neighborhood at approximately 3:45 a.m. local time.
All six occupants were confirmed dead. The other passengers included Emma L. Huke, 25; Celina Marie Rose Kenyon, 36; Kendall Fortner, 24; and Dominic Damian.
At least eight people on the ground sustained injuries. Authorities indicated that fatalities occurred among those on the aircraft, and around 100 residents were evacuated due to hazardous debris and jet fuel spillage. About ten homes sustained damage.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl described the scene as overwhelming and noted, “Everything on fire all at once, it was pretty horrific to see.” Audio from liveATC.net recorded the pilot’s final transmission, indicating they were three miles from Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.
The aircraft originated from New Jersey and stopped for fuel in Kansas before proceeding to San Diego. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have started an investigation, but a cause has not yet been determined.
Sound Talent Group, co-founded by Shapiro, confirmed the deaths of Shapiro and two employees in a statement to Billboard, conveying condolences to those affected and requesting privacy for the families.
Shapiro, who was both the owner and pilot of the plane, had purchased it in July. He also owned Velocity Records.
Hours before the crash, Williams posted a photo of himself in the copilot’s seat, captioned “Flying back with @davevelocity,” referring to Shapiro. The post has drawn attention among fans and 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, contributing to their top ten placements on Billboard’s 200 albums chart with records like Zombie (2010) and Dead Throne (2011). The band saw notable success on Billboard’s Top Hard Rock Albums chart.
After leaving the band, Williams transitioned to a tech career and was employed as a senior software architect at GoPro, according to his Instagram profile. His career shift earned respect from peers in both the music and tech industries.
Preliminary reports indicate the crash occurred amid poor weather conditions, including dense fog, and multiple airport issues, such as non-functional runway lights and a faulty weather alert system.