Daniel Williams wasn’t just a drummer—he was the backbone of The Devil Wears Prada (TDWP), one of metalcore’s most influential bands. When the group formed in 2005 in Dayton, Ohio, Williams was there from day one, laying down the relentless, chaotic rhythms that defined their sound. His drumming wasn’t just technical; it was emotional. Whether it was the frantic double bass on “Danger: Wildman” or the punishing grooves on “Mammoth,” his playing had a raw energy that made TDWP stand out in a crowded scene.
For over a decade, Williams was the engine behind the band’s rise. He played on every album from Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord (2006) to *8:18* (2013), plus fan-favorite EPs like Zombie (2010) and Space (2015). But in 2016, he stepped away from the band, leaving fans wondering why. Some speculated burnout; others thought it was just time for a new chapter.
Turns out, he did start a new chapter—just not the one anyone expected.
From Drumsticks to Software: A Surprising Career Shift
After leaving TDWP, Daniel Williams didn’t fade into obscurity. Instead, he reinvented himself—first at GoPro, then landing a gig as a software engineer at Apple. Yeah, the same guy who used to smash cymbals onstage was now coding in Silicon Valley.
His Instagram showed the transition: one minute, he was posting throwback tour pics; the next, he was joking about office life. On May 14, 2025—just days before his death—he shared a post announcing his new role at Apple. The caption? “From breakdowns to debugging. New chapter.”
Fans loved it. Here was a guy who had lived the rockstar life but wasn’t afraid to pivot. It was inspiring. And then, suddenly, it was over.
The Flight That Ended It All
Former The Devil Wears Prada drummer Daniel Williams confirmed among those killed in San Diego plane crash.
In his final posts, he shared photos of himself at the planes controls saying “here we goooooo” and “Hey. Hey…you…look at me…I’m the co-pilot now.” pic.twitter.com/6bFqwBQPRR
— david 🌻 (@realdavidonline) May 22, 2025
On May 22, 2025, Williams boarded a Cessna 550 private jet in San Diego. The pilot was Dave Shapiro, a well-known music agent and co-founder of Sound Talent Group (STG). Williams, ever the jokester, posted an Instagram Story from the cockpit with the caption:
“Hey. Hey…you…look at me…I’m the (co)pilot now.”
It was classic Daniel—playful, sarcastic, totally unaware that it would be his last post.
At around 3:45 AM, the plane crashed into the Tierrasanta neighborhood. The impact was catastrophic—homes were damaged, cars destroyed. There were no survivors.
The cause? Still under investigation. Early reports pointed to heavy fog, but mechanical failure hasn’t been ruled out. The FAA and NTSB are digging into it, but for now, all we know is that two lives—Williams and Shapiro—were gone in an instant.
Related: David Shapiro’s San Diego Crash: Everything About the Alaska Pilot
The Aftermath: Grief, Tributes, and Unanswered Questions
The news hit hard. TDWP’s official Instagram posted a tribute:
“No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever.”
Fans flooded social media with memories—concert footage, drum covers, personal stories of meeting him. What stood out wasn’t just his talent, but his personality. He was the guy who’d stick around after shows to chat, who’d laugh at his own jokes, who never took himself too seriously.
But there’s also a haunting question: Why was he on that plane?
Shapiro was a music industry vet, so some speculate they were working on something together. Others think it was just a casual trip between friends. We may never know.
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A Legacy That Lives On
Daniel Williams wasn’t just a drummer or a tech guy—he was proof that you can reinvent yourself. He went from underground metalcore to corporate America without losing his sense of humor. And even though his life was cut short, his impact wasn’t.
If you want to remember him, don’t just listen to “Danger: Wildman.” Think about the guy who wasn’t afraid to start over. The guy who could go from screaming crowds to quiet coding sessions. The guy who, even in his final moments, was still cracking jokes.
That’s the Daniel Williams worth remembering.
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Final Notes
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Last Instagram Post: May 14, 2025 (Apple job announcement).
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Final Story: May 22, 2025 (cockpit photo before the crash).
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Age at Death: 39.
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Investigations Ongoing: FAA/NTSB still determining crash cause.
Rest in beats, Daniel. You were one of a kind.
