Local News
Former Devil Wears Prada Drummer Daniel Williams Shared Final Post Before Fatal Plane Crash in San Diego
Daniel Williams, former drummer of the metalcore band The Devil Wears Prada, posted a series of photos from the cockpit of a small aircraft just hours before a tragic crash in San Diego that claimed at least two lives, sparking widespread fears that he may be among the deceased.
The 39-year-old musician shared a series of Instagram stories late Wednesday evening, appearing to document his flight from the cockpit.
One post showed Williams seated at the plane’s controls with the caption, “Hey. Hey… you… look at me…. I’m the (co)pilot now,” referencing a popular movie quote.
In another story, he posted a photo of the aircraft with the caption, “Flying back with @davevelocity,” tagging music agent and pilot Dave Shapiro. A final image, captioned “Here we gooooo,” showed him in the co-pilot’s seat moments before takeoff.
According to flight tracking data, the aircraft departed Teterboro Airport in New Jersey around 11:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
It made a fuel stop in Kansas before continuing its journey to Southern California.
The plane ultimately crashed in the early hours of Thursday morning in the Murphy Canyon neighborhood of San Diego, a quiet community near military housing.
The crash, which occurred in dense fog conditions, destroyed multiple homes and vehicles. San Diego Assistant Fire Chief Dan Eddy described the scene as chaotic and dangerous: “You could barely see in front of you,” he said during a press conference.
Authorities believe the aircraft struck several residential properties, sparking fires that damaged at least 15 buildings and forced the evacuation of approximately 100 residents.
More than 50 emergency personnel responded to the scene.
The agency Sound Talent Group later confirmed that Dave Shapiro, 42, co-founder of the music agency and a prominent talent representative, was among those killed in the crash.
In a statement, the agency said:
“We are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues, and friends. Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by today’s tragedy. Thank you so much for respecting their privacy at this time.”
As of now, Williams has not been officially confirmed among the victims, and no further updates have been shared on his social media accounts since his pre-flight posts.
Authorities have yet to release a full list of those onboard or the exact cause of the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating.
It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Deputy Sheriff Carl “Little Chief” Jensen, a deeply respected and dedicated member of the Little River County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy Jensen was found deceased earlier this evening after he did not report for his scheduled shift.
Deputy Jensen was more than a colleague—he was a cherished brother in uniform, a trusted protector of the community, and a steadfast public servant whose presence will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of working alongside him.
Carl’s journey into law enforcement was driven by a passion to protect those who could not protect themselves.
After completing college, he began his career with Adult Protective Services, investigating allegations of abuse and exploitation in state hospitals, group homes, and home health care settings.
It was during one such case—uncovering the truth behind a complex exploitation investigation—that Carl realized his calling. “I got bit by the law enforcement bug that day,” he once said. “I wanted to help protect and bring justice to those who need it.”
Throughout his career, Deputy Jensen demonstrated extraordinary empathy, integrity, and resilience. He often reflected on the emotional weight of his work, especially when responding to calls on what could be the most difficult days in people’s lives.
“Sometimes, people don’t realize that we’re there to help everyone involved,” he shared. “Even on what could be their worst day, I can do my best to make it better—or at least keep them calm.” His compassion and humanity set an example for us all.
Our deepest condolences and unwavering support go out to Deputy Jensen’s family during this incredibly painful time.
We ask the community to join us in keeping his loved ones and our department in your thoughts and prayers as we grieve this heartbreaking loss.
Deputy Carl Jensen’s legacy of service, kindness, and courage will never be forgotten.
We are grateful for his life, his dedication, and the profound impact he had on those he served and served with.