The heavy metal music community is reeling from the heartbreaking news of the untimely death of Daniel Williams, the former drummer of the iconic metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada. At just 39 years old, Williams was among the victims of a devastating light plane crash in San Diego, California, on Thursday, May 22, 2025. His father, Larry Williams, confirmed the tragic loss to TMZ, leaving fans, friends, and the music industry in mourning. This blog post delves into the details of the incident, Williams’ legacy, and the impact of this loss on the heavy metal world.
The San Diego Plane Crash: A Devastating Tragedy
Early Thursday morning, a Cessna 550 private jet crashed into San Diego’s Murphy Canyon neighborhood, a residential area known for its U.S. Navy-owned housing. The crash occurred around 3:45 a.m. local time amid dense fog, sparking a massive fireball that engulfed homes, vehicles, and caused widespread damage. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the plane, which had the capacity to carry up to 10 passengers, was carrying six people, all of whom are presumed dead. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the cause of the crash, which remains unclear, though foggy weather conditions and a possible loss of engine control are being considered as factors.
The plane had departed from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey on Wednesday night, May 21, and made a refueling stop in Wichita, Kansas, before heading to San Diego’s Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. Tragically, it crashed just two miles from its destination, leaving a “gigantic debris field” and damaging at least 15 homes and multiple vehicles. While no fatalities were reported on the ground, eight people were injured, some requiring hospitalization for smoke inhalation or injuries sustained while fleeing the scene.
Among the victims was Daniel Williams, whose family is “confident” he was on board, though they are still awaiting official confirmation from authorities. Also killed in the crash was Dave Shapiro, a 42-year-old music agent, co-founder of Sound Talent Group (STG), and an experienced pilot who may have been flying the aircraft. Two other STG employees were also among the victims, though their identities have not been disclosed.
Daniel Williams: A Heavy Metal Icon
Daniel Williams was a founding member of The Devil Wears Prada, a Christian metalcore band formed in Dayton, Ohio, in 2005. Known for his dynamic drumming and unwavering commitment to the band’s distinctive sound, Williams played a pivotal role in shaping the group’s rise to prominence in the heavy metal and metalcore scenes. His powerful performances behind the drum kit were integral to the band’s energetic live shows and their chart-topping albums.
During his tenure with The Devil Wears Prada from 2005 to 2016, Williams contributed to all five of the band’s full-length albums, including Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord (2006), Plagues (2007), With Roots Above and Branches Below (2009), Dead Throne (2011), and 8:18 (2013), as well as the Zombie EP (2010) and Space EP (2015). The band achieved significant success, with two albums—Zombie EP and Dead Throne—reaching the top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart and several releases topping the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums chart.
Williams’ drumming was a cornerstone of the band’s Christian metalcore identity, blending ferocious energy with technical precision. His work helped The Devil Wears Prada carve out a unique space in the heavy metal genre, earning them a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim. After parting ways with the band in 2016, Williams transitioned to a career in technology, working as a senior software architect at GoPro and, more recently, accepting a software engineering role at Apple just weeks before the crash.
A Haunting Final Post
In a chilling twist, Williams shared several Instagram Stories hours before the crash, offering a glimpse into his final moments. One post showed him boarding the Cessna 550 at Teterboro Airport, with the tail number N666DS clearly visible. Another image captured him sitting in the co-pilot’s seat, with the caption, “Hey. Hey… you… look at me… I’m the (co)pilot now.” A final post read, “Here we gooooo,” accompanied by a photo of the plane’s controls. His father later clarified to TMZ that Williams was joking and did not have a pilot’s license, dispelling speculation that he was involved in flying the plane.
These posts, now imbued with tragic significance, have left fans and the music community grappling with the suddenness of the loss. The images serve as a poignant reminder of Williams’ vibrant personality and the joy he found in life’s moments, even as he faced an unforeseen tragedy.
Tributes Pour In from the Heavy Metal Community
The news of Williams’ death sent shockwaves through the heavy metal and metalcore communities, prompting an outpouring of grief and tributes. The Devil Wears Prada shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, featuring photos of Williams behind his drum kit and with Dave Shapiro, who had represented the band through Sound Talent Group. The caption read, “No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.”
Fellow musicians and industry figures also expressed their sorrow. Motionless in White drummer Vinny Mauro wrote on X, “Hug your friends, cherish your time and let them know you love them because you never know when the last chance will be. So cliché but I’m sick to my stomach. I’ll see you again someday my friend.” The Word Alive’s Tyler Smith shared, “Losing not one but multiple longtime friends at once is f***ing hell. This week is brutal.” Drummer Luke Holland, who toured with Williams, recalled his kindness, noting, “We did a bunch of tours together & when I was the super ‘young guy’ on the road, he always treated me really well.”
Sound Talent Group, devastated by the loss of Shapiro and two other employees, issued a statement: “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.” The National Independent Talent Organization (NITO), of which Shapiro was a founding member, also honored his legacy, calling him a “visionary in the music industry” whose “passion, dedication, and unwavering support for artists shaped the careers of countless musicians.”
A Life of Resilience and Legacy
Williams’ life was marked by resilience, including surviving a mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio, in August 2019. At the time, he was at Ned Peppers bar when a gunman killed nine people and injured 26. Williams shared his harrowing experience on X, calling for gun control and expressing his trauma: “I’m still not sure exactly what happened. People were piling on top of each other to get out. It’s all a blur. F***ing awful.” His survival of that tragedy made his sudden death in the plane crash all the more heartbreaking.
Beyond his musical contributions, Williams was remembered for his warmth and positivity. Music producer Ryan ‘Fluff’ Bruce told the Daily Mail, “Daniel left us a lot of music to remember him by and he was a super sweet guy.” His legacy lives on through The Devil Wears Prada’s influential discography and the countless lives he touched in the heavy metal community.
The Investigation and Community Impact
The NTSB is leading the investigation into the San Diego plane crash, with foggy weather and potential mechanical issues under scrutiny. The crash’s impact on the Murphy Canyon neighborhood was profound, with jet fuel igniting fires that destroyed homes and vehicles. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl described the scene as “horrific,” with jet fuel running down the street and debris scattered across the area. The community continues to recover, with evacuations and hazmat protocols in place due to jet fuel leakage.
Honoring Daniel Williams’ Memory
The loss of Daniel Williams is a profound blow to the heavy metal and metalcore communities. His contributions to The Devil Wears Prada helped define a generation of music, blending raw energy with spiritual depth. As fans and fellow musicians mourn, his legacy endures through the albums that shaped the genre and the memories of those who knew him.
To honor Williams, fans are encouraged to revisit The Devil Wears Prada’s iconic albums, share stories of his impact, and support the music community he cherished. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the families of all the victims of this tragic crash. Rest in peace, Daniel Williams—you will be forever missed.
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