Former Devil Wears Prada Drummer Daniel Williams Killed in San Diego Plane Crash

The music world is mourning the loss of Daniel Williams, the former drummer of metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada, who tragically died in a plane crash in San Diego on May 22, 2025. The accident also claimed the lives of music agent Dave Shapiro and several others.

Williams was aboard a Cessna 550 private jet piloted by Shapiro when it crashed into a residential neighborhood near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport at approximately 3:45 am local time. The aircraft had departed from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey the previous night, stopping in Wichita, Kansas, for refueling before continuing its journey to San Diego.

Shortly before the crash, Williams shared posts on Instagram from inside the cockpit, jokingly referring to himself as the "co-pilot" alongside Shapiro. Tragically, all six individuals on board perished, though no fatalities were reported among residents on the ground.

Williams was a founding member of The Devil Wears Prada, joining the band in 2005 and contributing to their first five studio albums, including Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord, Plagues, and Dead Throne. His dynamic drumming helped shape the band's signature sound, earning them a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim in the metalcore scene.

After leaving the band in 2016, Williams transitioned into a career in technology, working as a software engineer for GoPro before recently accepting a position at Apple. His sudden passing has left a void in both the music and tech communities.

Following the news of his death, The Devil Wears Prada shared an emotional tribute on social media, posting old photos of Williams with the caption: "No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever".

Sound Talent Group, the agency co-founded by Shapiro, also expressed their grief, stating, "We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues, and friends.

Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today's tragedy".

Authorities, including the National Transportation Safety Board, are investigating the cause of the crash. Reports indicate that the aircraft clipped a power line before going down, sparking fires that damaged multiple homes and vehicles. Over 100 residents were evacuated from the area as emergency responders worked to contain the destruction.