Daniel Williams, the former drummer of metalcore outfit The Devil Wears Prada, has died in a tragic plane crash in San Diego at age 39.
The crash occurred early Thursday morning, May 22, claiming the lives of former The Devil Wears Prada Drummer Daniel Williams and longtime music agent and experienced pilot Dave Shapiro. Shapiro was a founding partner of Sound Talent Group and the owner of Velocity Records.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the Cessna 550 private jet crashed into a residential area, igniting a fire that destroyed vehicles and damaged multiple homes.
The FAA’s statement confirmed six people were on board – it’s understood there were no survivors, although the identities of the other passengers have yet to be confirmed. No fatalities were reported on the ground.
Williams had been flying with Shapiro and even posted photos to Instagram from inside the cockpit just before takeoff.
The jet left Teterboro, New Jersey the night before and stopped in Wichita, Kansas, to refuel before heading to San Diego. It crashed around 3:45 a.m., close to Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. Lambgoat reports that the plane was registered to Daviator LLC, an entity managed by Shapiro, according to FAA records.
The Devil Wears Prada paid tribute to Williams’ in an emotional Instagram post, sharing old photos and writing, “No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.”
Daniel Williams played with The Devil Wears Prada from their early days in Dayton, Ohio, and through their biggest chart success. During his time with the band, they landed two top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 and helped shape the sound of 2010s metalcore. He departed the group in 2016.
Shapiro’s death is another major loss for the heavy music scene. He was a major force behind the careers of countless artists through his work as an agent, label head, and advocate for independent touring. The National Independent Talent Organization (NITO), of which Shapiro is a founding member, released a statement honouring his legacy. “Dave was a visionary in the music industry,” it reads. “His passion, dedication, and unwavering support for artists shaped the careers of countless musicians.”
A spokesperson for Sound Talent Group told Billboard “we are devastated by the loss of our co-founder [Shapiro], colleagues and friends. Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy. Thank you so much for respecting their privacy at this time.”
In the wake of the crash, musicians and others from the music industry have shared tributes to both Williams and Shapiro to social media. Motionless in White drummer Vinny Mauro took to X to urge people to “hug your friends, cherish your time and let them know you love them because you never know when the last chance will be. So cliche but I’m sick to my stomach. I’ll see you again someday my friend.”
The deaths of Williams and Shapiro leave a massive hole in the community, and the team at Blunt send our condolences to the family and loved ones of all passengers on board.
MORE IN Music
