In a devastating and surreal twist of fate, Daniel Williams, the former drummer of Christian metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada, died early Thursday morning in a private jet crash near San Diego. He was 39 years old.
Williams, who had transitioned from the music world into a career as a software engineer, was aboard a Cessna 550 that departed from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey late Wednesday night. The jet made a scheduled fuel stop in Wichita, Kansas, before continuing on to California, where it ultimately crashed around 4 a.m. near Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport, in a quiet military neighborhood.
Daniel Williams, the original drummer of metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada, has been confirmed dead following a fatal plane crash in San Diego on the morning of May 22. He was aboard a private Cessna 550 jet that went down in a residential military housing area near… pic.twitter.com/MnpQgyt6oR
— Rock Feed 🎸 (@RockFeedNet) May 22, 2025
In what now reads as an ominous prelude, Williams shared photos and video to Instagram just hours before the crash, showing himself inside the cockpit, jokingly calling himself the “co-pilot now” and captioning one image:
“Here we gooooo.”
The photos showed Williams in high spirits, smiling, and seemingly excited about the journey ahead. The authenticity and timing of the posts have left fans and followers shaken, underscoring the eerie finality of social media in a moment of tragedy.
The aircraft—tail number N666DS—crashed into residential structures and parked vehicles, causing a fiery explosion and widespread destruction in the surrounding area. Multiple people are confirmed dead, though the full number of fatalities and injuries has yet to be officially confirmed.
Residents in the area described a massive explosion and scenes of chaos as emergency responders rushed to the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are currently investigating the cause of the crash.
Daniel Williams was best known for his work with The Devil Wears Prada, a band that gained widespread acclaim in the 2000s for blending Christian themes with aggressive metalcore energy. Williams was a founding member and toured internationally before leaving the band in 2016 to pursue a new path in software development.
Though he had stepped away from music professionally, Williams remained a beloved figure among fans, many of whom remember him for his explosive drumming, passionate performances, and strong faith.
The news of his death has sent shockwaves through both the Christian music scene and the broader music community. Tributes are pouring in from bandmates, fans, and fellow artists alike.
“Daniel was not only a powerful musician but a kind and thoughtful human being,” one former collaborator wrote. “He brought passion to everything he touched, whether it was on stage or in his new career.”
The tragedy also reignites questions around aviation safety, especially regarding private charter flights, which have been the setting for numerous high-profile fatalities in recent years.
