Featured Image Credit: Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Topics: Music, Celebrity, Social Media
Britt Jones
Topics: Music, Celebrity, Social Media
A drummer of a world class band has died in a plane crash after posting an update to his fans which has been revisited due to just how important it would become.
Daniel Williams was the former drummer of metal band The Devil Wears Prada, and he had a career in music which spanned decades.
He was accompanied by talent agent Dave Shapiro, 42, and both have sadly been confirmed as dead.
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It all began when Williams and Shapiro boarded the Cessna 550 at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey late Wednesday night to arrive at San Diego's Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport on Thursday morning (22 May).
However, Shapiro’s privately owned plane came crashing down into a neighbourhood local to their final destination.
According to reports, the small plane crashed around 4.00am PT after Williams shared a picture of himself making jokes at the cockpit’s controls.
An Instagram post showed him at the controls, writing: "Here we gooooo."
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Then, after the flight took off, he posted a picture which tagged Shapiro, joking: "Hey. Hey … you … look at me … I’m the (co)pilot now.”
Online, people have been looking to that social media post for clues as to what happened.
We The Kings band commented on Williams’ picture of himself, writing a tribute to his life: “I hope in some way you can sense all the love coming your way as has always been the case. You were ALWAYS a great time and I loved coming up in the scene at the same time as you. I hope to wake up to hear that they got the names wrong and that you are still very much here. I’m grateful that I got to know you and to call you a friend. Rest in peace, love you man .”
A fan commented: “Thank you for making some of my favorite music growing up, can’t believe you’re gone.”
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While it is unknown how many people were on the plane, Sound Talent Group told DailyMail.com that three of its employees, including co-founder Shapiro, were on the plane at the time of the crash.
“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,” a spokesperson said. “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.”
The Devil Wears Prada band also confirmed the deaths of its former drummer and Shapiro by posting a montage of pictures of the pair, writing: "No words. We owe you everything. Love you forever."
According to tracking data, the jet took off from its starting point at 11.15pm before stopping to refuel in Wichita, Kansas, and continuing its journey to California.
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It is unknown how the crash occurred.
The plane went down around two miles from the San Diego airport, setting 15 homes and several cars on fire in a neighbourhood designed to house military service personnel which is managed by Liberty House Homes.
The crash also injured eight other people who were on the ground at the time.