From Metalcore Legend to Tech Innovator: Daniel Williams, Former Devil Wears Prada Drummer and GoPro Engineer, Tragically Believed Killed in San Diego Plane Crash

San Diego, CA — The music and tech communities are in collective mourning following the heartbreaking news that Daniel Williams, the former drummer of The Devil Wears Prada and a talented software engineer, is believed to have been one of the victims in a fatal plane crash that occurred earlier this week in San Diego.

Although official confirmation from authorities remains pending, video footage posted by Williams in the hours before the crash placed him in the co-pilot’s seat of the ill-fated Cessna Citation II. The aircraft, piloted by friend and music agent Dave Shapiro, went down in a Murphy Canyon neighborhood, igniting fires but sparing lives on the ground. Neither man is believed to have survived.

Williams was just 39 years old. His life was a unique journey of rhythm, resilience, and reinvention.

From Basement Shows to Global Tours

Daniel Williams co-founded The Devil Wears Prada in Dayton, Ohio, in 2005, quickly becoming one of the genre’s most recognizable drummers. With precision, energy, and unshakable timing, Williams helped propel the band to international success, blending ferocious metalcore with introspective lyrics that resonated with fans across continents.

“Dan wasn’t just our drummer—he was our engine,” said Mike Hranica, the band’s vocalist. “He gave our songs their heartbeat.”

Named after the satirical novel-turned-film The Devil Wears Prada, the band’s early success was meteoric. They performed on the Vans Warped Tour, appeared on Billboard charts, and cultivated a devoted fanbase in the hardcore and post-hardcore scenes. Williams was a constant presence behind the kit until he left the band in 2016 to pursue other passions.

A New Chapter in Technology

After stepping away from music, Williams transitioned into a completely different world: software engineering. He joined GoPro’s San Diego office, where he worked for seven years and quickly established himself as a bright, detail-oriented coder and team player.

In a field where many struggle to pivot careers, Williams excelled. Former colleagues say his adaptability, creativity, and humility made him as valued in the tech space as he had been on stage.

“Dan brought the same energy to code that he brought to drumming,” said a fellow GoPro engineer. “He had a unique way of solving problems and lifting up everyone around him.”

Survivor of Tragedy, Bearer of Strength

Williams also survived one of the most horrific events in recent American history—the 2019 mass shooting in Dayton’s Oregon District. Nine people were killed and 17 wounded when a gunman opened fire outside Ned Peppers Bar. Williams was among the survivors.

He rarely spoke publicly about the experience, but friends say the event profoundly affected him and deepened his sense of gratitude for life.

“He came out of that with a renewed sense of purpose,” said Alex Asch, a musician from Ohio and longtime friend. “Dan never took anything for granted after that.”

Final Moments, Shared with a Friend

Williams’ final hours were marked by joy and camaraderie. He had attended the Welcome to Rockville music festival in Daytona Beach, Florida, with Shapiro just days earlier. Instagram stories posted Tuesday morning show him in high spirits, joking with Shapiro as they boarded the Cessna for their return trip.

His presence in the co-pilot’s seat was symbolic—Williams had always been someone willing to learn, to try new things, and to support those around him. Tragically, that spirit now lives on only in the memories of those who loved him.

A Lasting Legacy

Tributes from fans, former bandmates, and colleagues have flooded social media since news of the crash broke.

“To know Dan was to admire him,” read one message from a fan group. “He gave us music that shaped our lives. And then, quietly, he changed the world again in a different way.”

Daniel Williams leaves behind a powerful dual legacy: one of rhythmic innovation on stage and technical brilliance behind the scenes. He was a man who refused to be defined by a single chapter and who embraced life’s uncertainties with courage and heart.

In the silence that follows his passing, the echoes of his life ring loud and clear—a testament to the impact of one extraordinary human being.