Producer Dave Shapiro and Musician Daniel Williams Die in Tragic Plane Crash in San Diego

Producer Dave Shapiro Dies

Plane Crash in San Diego

Music Industry in Mourning

The music community is in mourning following confirmation that producer Dave Shapiro and musician Daniel Williams died in a plane crash on Thursday in San Diego, California.

The crash involved a Cessna 550 aircraft that went down just three kilometers from Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, leaving a scene of destruction and shock in the area.

Authorities reported no survivors among the six occupants of the plane. Shapiro, known not only as a producer but also as a flight instructor and entrepreneur, was piloting the aircraft.

He was the owner of Sound Talent Group and the Velocity Records label, representing prominent artists in the alternative rock and metal scenes.

Plane Crash in San Diego Shakes the Indie Music World

Producer Dave Shapiro Dies in Tragic Crash – Photo: Shutterstock

Among the passengers were two of his company’s collaborators, deepening the tragedy for his team and close professional circle, El País reported.

Daniel Williams, former drummer of the metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada, had posted on Instagram shortly before the flight, sharing photos of himself and Shapiro in the cockpit.

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His death was confirmed by the band in a social media post accompanied by photos showing him with Shapiro and a heartfelt message: “Speechless. We owe you everything. We will love you forever.”

The flight had departed from Teterboro Airport outside New York, with a technical stop in Wichita, Kansas, before heading to San Diego.

Flight Details and Emergency Response

Something went wrong during descent. The impact caused a massive fire, forcing the evacuation of around 100 nearby residents.

Eight people were injured on the ground, though none suffered fatal injuries, according to a report from the San Diego Police Department regarding the plane crash.

According to EFE, the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the cause of the crash.

At a press conference, Raúl Campillo, representative of San Diego’s 7th District, described the scale of the event as “a life-threatening incident.”

Eyewitnesses and Social Media Confirm the Grief

He added that despite the damage, it was a miracle no one on the ground lost their lives. The incident also caused structural damage to at least ten buildings.

Residents witnessed an inferno erupt in seconds, engulfing part of a residential neighborhood in smoke and flames.

Producer Dave Shapiro was a major figure in the independent music industry.

He co-founded the National Independent Talent Organization (NITO), whose members publicly expressed their grief.

The metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada identified former drummer of the band, Daniel Williams, as one of the people killed. Dave Shapiro was identified as the second person killed in the crash. The 42-year-old was the co-founder of Sound Talent Group, a music talent agency. pic.twitter.com/opubs0BQDX
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) May 23, 2025

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Dave Shapiro and his two colleagues. Dave was a visionary in the music industry,” read an official statement.

Dave Shapiro’s loss not only impacts his family and friends but also a professional network that admired his passion, dedication, and contributions to the development of emerging talent.

On social media, musicians, colleagues, and fans have shared their grief and solidarity, recalling the influence of both men in the alternative rock scene.

Williams, for his part, had left a lasting mark with his powerful style and onstage charisma, from his days in The Devil Wears Prada to his later projects.

Ongoing Investigation and Professional Legacy of Dave Shapiro and Daniel Williams

The tragedy has also sparked renewed debate about private flight safety and the need to reinforce inspection and training protocols, especially for aircraft operated by their owners.

For now, San Diego authorities are prioritizing the investigation and offering support to the families affected by this plane crash.

Meanwhile, the independent music scene mourns the loss of two figures whose absence leaves a difficult void to fill.

Their legacy will endure in the hearts of those who knew them, reported EFE and El País.

A privately owned Cessna Citation II jet has crashed in San Diego’s Murphy Canyon neighborhood, leaving at least two dead and injuring eight. Music talent agent Dave Shapiro and Daniel Williams, former drummer of The Devil Wears Prada are reported to have lost their lives in the… pic.twitter.com/9ilsunsl2W
— AviationSource (@AvSourceNews) May 22, 2025