Former Devil Wears Prada Drummer Shares Photos from Cockpit Before Fatal Plane Crash
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/daniel-williams-tout-052225-7ec2f6cc178b40e7853004d4eef675b7.jpg)
Daniel Williams, the former drummer of the popular metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada, tragically lost his life in a plane crash that took place in San Diego. The incident also claimed the life of Dave Shapiro, a 42-year-old talent agent and owner of Sound Talent Group (STG). The exact number of fatalities from the crash is still being determined.
Williams had posted images from inside the Cessna 550 aircraft on his Instagram Stories shortly before the tragic accident. The photos, which depicted the cockpit of the small plane, included captions such as “Hey. Hey…you…look at me…I’m the (co)pilot now” and “Here we goooooo.” Another image showed Williams with Dave Shapiro, captioned “flying back with @davevelocity.”
Having taken a step back from the music scene around eight years ago, Williams had recently announced a career change. On May 14, he shared on social media that he had accepted a software engineering role at Apple, bidding farewell to his colleagues at GoPro where he had worked for nearly eight years.
The bandmates of The Devil Wears Prada expressed their grief and paid tribute to Williams on Instagram with a heartfelt post featuring images of the band over the years, alongside a photo of Williams behind his drum kit. The band captioned the post with, “♥️ no words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.”
Formed in Ohio, The Devil Wears Prada gained recognition in the mid-2000s with their album “Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord.” The news of the tragic plane crash has devastated fans and the music industry alike, with tributes pouring in for the talented drummer and his companion Shapiro.
In a statement to Billboard, a spokesperson for Shapiro’s STG expressed their condolences, saying, “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.”
While Williams’ family believes he was aboard the ill-fated plane, official confirmation is still pending from authorities. The National Transportation Safety Board is currently conducting an investigation into the crash, and the FAA has been contacted for further information regarding the individuals on board.
The untimely loss of Daniel Williams and Dave Shapiro has left a void in the music community, with fans and colleagues alike mourning their passing. As the investigation unfolds, loved ones seek closure and solace in honoring the memories of the talented individuals who left an indelible mark on the industry.