Former The Devil Wears Prada Drummer Daniel Williams and Music Agent Dave Shapiro Killed in San Diego Plane Crash

Tragic news has struck the rock and metal community following the deaths of former The Devil Wears Prada drummer Daniel Williams and renowned music agent and manager Dave Shapiro. The two were killed in a plane crash early Thursday morning (May 23) in San Diego, California. Williams was 39, and Shapiro was 42.

The fatal accident occurred around 4 a.m. in the Tierrasanta neighborhood while the private Cessna 550 jet, registered to Shapiro’s aviation company Daviator LLC, was attempting to land at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport. According to FAA records cited by Lambgoat, Shapiro was not only the plane’s registered owner but also an experienced pilot. At the time of the crash, he was accompanied by Williams and two Sound Talent Group colleagues, all of whom tragically lost their lives. Authorities have confirmed there were no survivors, though not all victims have been publicly identified.

Williams had been sharing updates about the flight on social media just a day before the crash, posting images from the runway and cockpit on his Instagram Story. The drummer was a founding member of metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada, playing with them from their inception in 2005 until his departure in 2016.

The band took to Instagram to honor their late friend with a heartfelt message accompanied by a photo tribute: “No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.”

Shapiro, a beloved figure in the music industry, wore many hats during his career. He co-founded Sound Talent Group, launched Velocity Records, and was a key force behind Velocity Aviation. He represented numerous rock and metal acts over the years and played a pivotal role in the careers of many. Most recently, he attended Pierce the Veil’s sold-out show at Madison Square Garden on May 21—just two days before the crash.

Sound Talent Group released an emotional statement in the wake of the tragedy:
“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. Thank you so much for respecting their privacy at this time.”

The music world has been shaken by the news, with tributes pouring in from fans, musicians, and industry peers alike. Motionless in White drummer Vinny Mauro wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“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 also shared his heartbreak:
“Losing not one but multiple longtime friends at once is fucking hell. This week is brutal. Sending all my love as news spreads, tell your friends you love them.”

As the community processes this painful loss, one thing is clear—Daniel Williams and Dave Shapiro left an indelible mark on the music world and in the hearts of those who knew them. Their passion, talent, and kindness will be deeply missed.