Former Drummer’s Final Cockpit Posts Haunt as San Diego Plane Crash Claims Lives
In the early hours of Thursday, May 22, 2025, a devastating plane crash in San Diego’s Murphy Canyon neighborhood claimed multiple lives and left a community in shock. Among those feared dead is Daniel Williams, the 39-year-old former drummer of the metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada, whose haunting final Instagram posts captured moments inside the cockpit of the doomed aircraft just hours before the tragedy. The crash, which also took the life of prominent music agent Dave Shapiro, has sent ripples of grief through the music industry and beyond, as authorities work to piece together the cause of the disaster.
Williams, a founding member of The Devil Wears Prada, left the band in 2016 to pursue a career in software engineering but remained a beloved figure in the metalcore scene. Late Wednesday night, he shared a series of Instagram stories that now carry an eerie weight. One image showed him seated at the controls of a Cessna 550, with the caption, “Hey. Hey… you… look at me…. I’m the (co)pilot now,” a playful nod to a famous movie line. Another post featured the aircraft at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, captioned, “Flying back with @davevelocity,” tagging Shapiro, a 42-year-old music industry veteran and licensed pilot who owned the plane. A final photo, captioned “Here we gooooo,” showed Williams in the co-pilot’s seat, moments before the flight’s departure at approximately 11:15 p.m. ET.
Flight data indicates the Cessna 550, registered to Shapiro’s Alaska-based company, Daviator LLC, took off from Teterboro Airport, a hub for private jets near New York City. The plane made a brief stop in Wichita, Kansas, for refueling before continuing its journey to San Diego’s Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. Around 3:45 a.m. PT, as the aircraft approached its destination, it crashed into the Murphy Canyon neighborhood, a quiet community primarily housing military families. Dense fog blanketed the area, reducing visibility to near zero, according to San Diego Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy. “You could barely see in front of you,” Eddy said during a press conference, describing a chaotic scene where jet fuel ignited fires that engulfed homes and vehicles.
The crash was catastrophic. The plane clipped power lines before slamming into a house, sparking flames that spread to at least 15 properties and destroyed numerous vehicles. More than 50 emergency personnel rushed to the scene, evacuating approximately 100 residents to a nearby elementary school that served as a temporary shelter. Remarkably, no fatalities were reported among those on the ground, though eight people sustained injuries, primarily from smoke inhalation. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl called the scene “horrific,” noting the widespread destruction caused by jet fuel spilling across the neighborhood.
Sound Talent Group, the music agency co-founded by Shapiro, confirmed his death in a heartfelt statement, also noting that two other employees perished in the crash. Shapiro, a respected figure who represented artists like Sum 41, Pierce the Veil, and Killswitch Engage, was remembered as a visionary whose passion for music shaped countless careers. The agency expressed profound sorrow, stating, “Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy.” The Devil Wears Prada paid tribute to Williams on Instagram, sharing photos and writing, “No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.” As of now, authorities have not officially confirmed Williams’ death, but his family reportedly identified him as a victim, and the lack of updates on his social media has fueled widespread concern.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are leading the investigation into the crash, which occurred under challenging weather conditions. The Cessna 550, a twin-engine jet capable of carrying up to 10 passengers, was nearing its destination when it went down just two miles from the airport. Investigators are examining flight data, the aircraft’s maintenance records, and Shapiro’s experience as a pilot, which included certifications as an airline transport pilot and ownership of Velocity Aviation, a flight school. The cause of the crash remains unclear, pending a thorough analysis of the wreckage and flight recordings.
The tragedy has left the music community reeling, with tributes pouring in from fans, musicians, and industry professionals. Williams, who survived a mass shooting six years prior, was remembered as a kind and talented individual whose contributions to The Devil Wears Prada’s early albums, including *Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord* and *Dead Throne*, left a lasting legacy. Shapiro’s influence as a talent agent and advocate for independent music was equally profound, with colleagues describing him as a mentor and friend. As investigations continue, the loss of these individuals and others aboard the flight underscores the fragility of life and the deep connections forged through music and community. The Murphy Canyon neighborhood, now grappling with the aftermath, faces a long road to recovery, but the resilience of its residents and the outpouring of support offer hope amid the sorrow.
