The Christian music world is mourning the sudden loss of Daniel Williams, former drummer for the faith-infused metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada after a devastating plane crash in San Diego claimed his life and five others.

Williams, 39, was aboard a Cessna 550 jet that crashed into a residential neighborhood near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport around 3:45 a.m. Thursday morning, May 22^nd. The crash ignited fires, destroyed multiple homes, injured at least eight people on the ground, and caused extensive property damage. Ten homes were affected, and several vehicles were engulfed in flames as the plane dumped jet fuel during the tragic descent.

Hours before the crash, Williams had posted photos on Instagram, including one of himself sitting in the co-pilot seat with the caption, “Here we goooooo,” marking the final moments before takeoff. The plane had departed from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, stopped in Wichita, Kansas, and was en route to San Diego.

Tributes have poured in from fans, friends, and fellow musicians. The Devil Wears Prada, which Williams co-founded in 2005, posted a moving tribute: “No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever,” alongside a photo of Williams behind his drum kit.

Williams was a key figure in the band’s early success. Known for their aggressive sound and bold Christian themes, The Devil Wears Prada quickly rose to prominence in the mid-2000s metalcore scene. Their music blended raw emotion, powerful instrumentation, and lyrics that pointed to deeper spiritual truths. They went on to release several albums and were a headlining act on the 2011 Vans Warped Tour. Though Williams departed the group in 2016, his impact remains foundational to the band’s legacy.

While no longer active in the music industry, Williams had since reinvented himself as a software architect and entrepreneur, working with GoPro and launching a yoga-focused app. He was also a survivor of the 2019 mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio, an experience that further shaped his journey.

Also among the deceased was Dave Shapiro, 42, a respected music agent and co-founder of Sound Talent Group. Shapiro, who began his career as a drummer in Count the Stars, became a key figure in the independent music world, managing and booking major acts like Sum 41 and Pierce the Veil. He was also a certified pilot with thousands of flight hours and had launched his own aviation company, Velocity Aviation. The Cessna jet was registered with Daviator, an aviation company with a name that blended “Dave” with “aviator.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash. According to NTSB officials, the airport’s automated weather reporting system and approach lights were out of service at the time of the crash. Dense fog may have contributed to the crash, though it’s still unclear who was piloting the aircraft.

As the Christian community reflects on Daniel Williams’s life and legacy, many remember not just the thunderous rhythm he brought to the stage but also the faith and resilience he embodied behind the scenes.

He once said of the band’s music, “We’re not trying to fit a label. We’re just trying to be honest.” That honesty, both musical and spiritual, resonated with fans around the world.