Christian Metalcore Band The Devil Wears Prada's Daniel Williams Killed in Plane Crash

Daniel Williams, former drummer and co-founder of the acclaimed Christian metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada, was tragically killed in a private plane crash on May 22, 2025. He was 39 years old.

The crash occurred at approximately 3:45 a.m. local time in the Tierrasanta neighborhood of San Diego. The aircraft, a Cessna 550 jet, was approaching Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport amid heavy fog when it went down, causing fires that damaged multiple homes and injured several people on the ground. Thankfully, no ground fatalities were reported.

All six people aboard the flight perished in the crash. In addition to Williams, the victims included respected music agent Dave Shapiro, booking assistants Emma Huke and Kendall Fortner, photographer Celina Marie Rose Kenyon, and Dominic Damian. The group had departed from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey with a scheduled fuel stop in Wichita, Kansas.

Daniel Williams co-founded The Devil Wears Prada in 2005 and was instrumental in shaping the band's early sound, contributing to seminal albums such as Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord, Plagues, and 8:18. He departed the band in 2016 to pursue a career in technology, where he most recently held a senior position as a software architect at Apple Inc.

Williams is remembered by fans and peers as a gifted musician, passionate creator, and generous friend. His fiancée, Hannah Ray, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, revealing the devastating loss occurred on the 14th anniversary of their relationship.

The Devil Wears Prada paid tribute to Williams with a message stating, "No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever."

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the crash. A preliminary report is expected in the coming weeks.

 

 

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