Ex-Devil Wears Prada drummer Daniel Williams and Sound Talent Group agent Dave Shapiro killed in San Diego plane crash
Former The Devil Wears Prada drummer Daniel Williams and music industry bigshot David Shapiro were among those killed in a plane crash in San Diego on Thursday morning, Shapiro’s agency and Williams’ former bandmates confirmed.
The pair were among six people onboard a private jet from Teterboro, New Jersey, that crashed into a San Diego neighborhood housing military families around 3:45 a.m. Thursday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The jet hit a power line in foggy weather, according to the National Transportation Safety Board, before slamming into a house on the ground, setting it ablaze.
Authorities were still investigating the wreck and wanted to recover the bodies of the victims before releasing an official fatality number and IDs, but officials do not believe there were any survivors. Miraculously, no one on the ground was killed or seriously injured.
Williams’ former Devil Wears Prada band members confirmed the 39-year-old’s death in social media posts Thursday.
“No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever,” the band wrote alongside a photo of Williams, a founding member in 2005.
Lead guitarist Jeremy DePoyster wrote on his personal page: “I have no words. My heart is shattered. I love you man.”
Shapiro, 42, was the co-founder of Sound Talent Group (STG), clients of which include the bands Sum 41, Story of the Year and Parkway Drive. His death was confirmed by his talent agency.
“We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues and friends … Thank you so much for respecting their privacy at this time,” the agency said in a statement shared with Billboard.
The two men were lovingly remembered by music industry insiders across social media.
“Rest in Peace Dave Shapiro, Daniel Williams, and everyone on that flight. Some of my very first shows were booked through Dave. I had a handful of shows with Daniel, always a pleasure to see him play. Gone way too soon,” music executive .
Hours before the crash, Williams shared a haunting photo, his last, from inside the cockpit of the doomed plane. The caption read: “Here we goooooo.”
At least two other STG employees died in the wreck, according to Billboard.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria offered condolences to those who knew the passengers aboard the flight and commended first responders.
“On behalf of our city, I extend my condolences to the families and loved ones of those aboard the plane,” he said.
On top of his music career, Shapiro was an avid pilot and certified flying instructor with 15 years of experience, according to the website of his flight school, Velocity Aviation.
“From BASE jumping to aerobatic flying, Helicopters to twin engines, flight instructing to furthering his own education, doesn’t matter to Dave as long as he gets to be in the sky,” the company’s website reads.
Airport officials said the ill-fated flight originated from Teterboro, New Jersey, on Wednesday night before making a fueling stop in Wichita, Kansas. Teterboro, some six miles from Manhattan, is frequently used by private and corporate jets.
Officials believe the jet was heading for Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport when it got tangled in power lines about two miles southeast of the airfield, according to the NTSB.
Christopher Moore, who lives one street over from the crash site, said he and his wife were awakened by a loud bang and saw smoke and fire as they grabbed their two young children and fled.
“It was definitely horrifying for sure, but sometimes you’ve just got to drop your head and get to safety,” he said.
The cause of the crash has not yet been established, but it happened during intense morning fog near the airport.
“You could barely see in front of you,” said a fire department official.
With Post wires
