Photo Credit: Daniel Williams’ Instagram
Dave Shapiro, 42, and Daniel Williams, 39, were among those killed in a plane crash in San Diego on Thursday morning. Shapiro was the co-founder of Sound Talent Group (STG), whose clients include Sum 41, Story of the Year, and Parkway Drive. Daniel Williams was the former drummer of The Devil Wears Prada. At least two other STG employees also died in the crash.
“We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues, and friends,” STG shared in a statement. “Thank you so much for respecting their privacy at this time.”
The private jet, flying from Teterboro, New Jersey, crashed into a San Diego neighborhood housing military families as they slept at around 4 AM on Thursday. Eight people in the neighborhood have been confirmed to be injured, and no one aboard the plane is believed to have survived.
In addition to his music career, Shapiro was an avid pilot and certified flying instructor who had over 15 years of experience. The plane, a Cessna 550, had a capacity of up to 10 people; the FAA confirmed that six people were on board. The cause of the crash has not yet been established—but it occurred during intense morning fog near the Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.
Dave Shapiro was a pillar in launching the careers of numerous artists through his work as an agent and advocate for independent touring. “Dave was a visionary in the music industry,” reads a statement from the National Independent Talent Organization (NITO), of which Shapiro is a founding member. “His passion, dedication, and unwavering support for artists shaped the careers of countless musicians.”
Daniel Williams played with The Devil Wears Prada through their biggest successes on the charts and from their early days in Dayton, Ohio. During his time with them, the band had two Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 and were instrumental in shaping the sound of 2010s metalcore. He left the group in 2016.
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