Daniel Williams, the former drummer for The Devil Wears Prada, posted a striking photo inside the cockpit of a private jet shortly before it crashed in a San Diego neighborhood, resulting in the death of music industry figure David Shapiro.
In his initial Instagram story, Williams tagged Shapiro and shared images of the ill-fated Cessna 550 just before takeoff from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey on Wednesday night.
“Back with @Davevelocity,” Williams wrote in his post.
As one of the band’s original members, he was also seen in another post from inside the cockpit.
“Hey, hey… you… look at me… I’m a (co) pilot now,” the 39-year-old noted, showing off aircraft controls and the view from the windshield.
The second post included a photo with York positioned between his legs.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, both Williams and Shapiro were among six individuals on the jet when it hit a power line in foggy conditions and crashed in Murphy Canyon around 3:45 a.m. on Thursday.
Authorities are still working to confirm the identities of all the victims but have reported no survivors. Thankfully, no injuries were reported among those on the ground.
A former bandmate confirmed the tragic news about Williams’s death through a social media update on Thursday.
The band expressed their grief, stating, “There are no words. We owe you everything. We love you forever.”
Williams was part of The Devil Wears Prada since its inception in 2005 and departed in 2016.
Just a week before the accident, he announced on social media that he had accepted a software engineering position at Apple, saying, “It was really tough to say goodbye to friends and colleagues at GoPro, but it’s time for the next chapter.”
His death follows a close brush with tragedy when he survived a mass shooting in his hometown of Dayton, Ohio, in 2019, where a gunman opened fire at a bar, killing nine people and injuring many others.
Shapiro, 42, co-founded Sound Talent Group, representing bands like Sum 41 and Parkway Drive. His agency confirmed his passing, saying, “We are ravaged by the loss of our co-founders, colleagues, and friends.” They requested privacy during this difficult time.
Many in the music industry took to social media to honor both men. One individual noted, “In peace of mind, Dave Shapiro, Daniel Williams, and everyone on that flight. Some of my first shows were booked through Dave. There were a few shows with Daniel.”
