A late-night flight over San Diego took a deadly turn Thursday morning. Among the victims: a drummer who had just reached out to fans with a chilling farewell.
In a tragic incident early Thursday morning, David Williams, 39, former drummer of the metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada, was killed in a small plane crash in San Diego. The crash occurred just after 4 a.m. on May 22, setting fire to a section of residential housing owned by the U.S. Navy.
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According to TMZ, Williams’ father, Larry Williams, confirmed that his son was aboard the aircraft, a Cessna, which went down in a neighborhood not far from Naval Base San Diego. The fiery impact destroyed one home and left several residents on the ground injured.
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His father said the family is certain Williams was on the plane and there were no survivors. However, the official confirmation from authorities is still pending. The lack of formal words, he added, has deepened the family’s anguish.
The band Williams once powered with his thunderous drumming also confirmed his passing. On social media, The Devil Wears Prada shared several images of Williams in his element, behind the drum kit and among his bandmates. A simple caption read: “♥️ no words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.”
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The news has sent shockwaves through the music community, especially among fans who followed Williams through his tenure with the band. Just hours before the fatal crash, Williams took to social media to document what would be his final flight.
Posting to his Instagram Stories, he shared photos from inside the small aircraft. One image showed a section of him in the co-pilot’s seat. The caption read, “Here we gooooo0 [sic].” Another image, taken from inside the pilot’s cockpit was captioned, “Hey. Hey…you…Look at me… …I’m the (co)pilot now.”
Williams’ father, later addressed the posts, noting that his son was simply “goofing around.” He clarified that Williams did not hold a pilot’s license. The Cessna aircraft, which has a capacity of up to 10 passengers, went down under still-unclear circumstances.
Authorities have not yet released the exact number of people aboard at the time of the crash. San Diego officials stated that not all families of the victims have been notified. They offered no timeline for when those notifications would be complete. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Though no longer with The Devil Wears Prada, Williams remained a towering figure in the band’s history. According to his family, his drumming played a critical role in the group’s rise to prominence in the metalcore scene. His contributions spanned years, shaping the band’s sound and leaving a lasting imprint on fans and fellow musicians.
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The shock of his death has rippled across the music world. For many, Williams was more than a drummer — he was part of a movement. His raw energy, sharp precision, and on-stage presence defined an era for the band.
The tragedy has also touched another corner of the music industry. Dave Shapiro, 42, talent agent and co-founder of Sound Talent Group (STG), was among the passengers on the ill-fated Cessna.
A statement from STG confirmed his death, calling it a devastating loss. “Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy,” a spokesperson said.
Shapiro, a respected figure in artist management, was also a certified pilot and owner of Velocity Aviation. Known for mentoring new pilots and managing major music acts, he was on board with two STG colleagues when the plane crashed in San Diego’s Tierrasanta neighborhood.
One neighbor, whose home was near the crash site, recalled the terrifying moment authorities arrived. “The police officer came into our door and knocked on the door,” he said. “As soon as I saw a police officer and he told me about like there’s a big incident going on, instantly my mind went to, I have to get my family out of here.”
For families in the area, it was a morning that began with fear and ended in disbelief. May the departed souls rest in peace.
