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, โFlying back with @davevelocity,โ tagging music agent and pilot Dave Shapiro. A final image, captioned โHere we gooooo,โ showed him in the co-pilotโs 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: โYou could barely see in front of you,โ 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:
โWe are devastated by the loss of our co-founder, colleagues, and friends. Our hearts go out to their families and to everyone impacted by todayโs tragedy. Thank you so much for respecting their privacy at this time.โ
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.
UPDATE: Search efforts have been suspended following the sinking of the commercial fishing vessel Lily Jean off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts, marking another tragic loss for the cityโs historic fishing community.
The U.S. Coast Guard was alerted early Friday morning by the vesselโs emergency beacon after it activated in the water; no mayday call was received.
Responders located a debris field, an unoccupied life raft, and one deceased individual in the water.
Six other crew members remain missing and are presumed lost after an extensive air and sea search yielded no additional results.
The Coast Guard cited frigid water temperatures, challenging weather conditions, and the vast search area in its decision to suspend operations.
GLOUCESTER, Mass. โ Authorities have identified all seven individuals who lost their lives after the commercial fishing vessel Lily Jean sank approximately 25 miles off Cape Ann, Massachusetts, early Friday morning, marking a devastating loss for Gloucesterโs historic fishing community.
The Lily Jean, a commercial fishing vessel measuring between 72 and 80 feet in length and homeported in Gloucesterโthe nationโs oldest working fishing portโactivated its emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) at approximately 6:50 a.m. Friday while returning to port.
No mayday call was received, and subsequent attempts to contact the vessel were unsuccessful.
The U.S. Coast Guard immediately launched a large-scale search and rescue operation, deploying an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and multiple surface assets to the area of the distress signal.
Crews located a debris field and an unoccupied life raft roughly 25 miles offshore near the EPIRB activation site, confirming the vessel had sunk to the ocean floor. One deceased individual was recovered from the water.
The remaining six crew members were later presumed lost after extensive search efforts yielded no additional results.
Officials confirmed that seven people were aboard the vessel at the time of the incident, revising earlier reports that indicated six.
The seven individuals who perished aboard the Lily Jean are:
- John Paul Rousanidis, 33, of Salem/Peabody, Massachusetts
- Sean Therrien, 44, of Lynn/Peabody, Massachusetts
- Freeman Short, of the Marshfield/Scituate area
- Captain Gus Sanfilippo, a well-known and respected Gloucester fisherman
- Paul Beal Sr., deckhand
- Paul Beal Jr., deckhand and son of Paul Beal Sr.
- Jada Samitt, 22, of Virginia
Jada Samitt, the seventh crew member identified, was serving aboard the vessel in the role of a federal fisheries observer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). She had recently relocated to Massachusetts to pursue her passion for environmental biology, graduating last year. Family members said joining the Lily Jean crew was her first major professional role at sea and a lifelong dream.
Her aunt, Heather Michaels, described Samitt as a compassionate and driven young woman who deeply respected her captain and dedicated herself fully to her work. โShe put her heart and soul into this opportunity,โ family members said, noting her commitment to marine conservation and the fishing community.
Officials said the Lily Jean had reported taking on water shortly before contact was lost.
The vessel is now presumed fully submerged.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through Gloucesterโs close-knit maritime community.
Ashley Sullivan, a local business owner who knew the vesselโs owner, emphasized the daily risks faced by commercial fishermen. โI hope people really take a moment to understand the sacrifices these men and women make to put food on our tables,โ she said. โThis is heartbreaking.โ
Massachusetts State Senator Bruce Tarr also expressed condolences, highlighting Gloucesterโs deep fishing heritage. โGloucester has a long fishing history, and that history includes tragic loss,โ Tarr said. โIt appears we are experiencing another of those painful chapters.โ
Governor Maura Healey released a statement saying she was โheartbroken over the devastating news out of Gloucester,โ adding that her administration has offered full assistance to local officials and the Coast Guard. She extended prayers to the victimsโ families and the broader fishing community across Cape Ann and the Commonwealth.
Community members and local businesses have continued to share messages of remembrance and solidarity. Taylor Hunt, a relative of Freeman Short, posted a tribute honoring the crew, writing in part: โThe salt has been in our blood for generationsโฆ A man is not lost while the sea remembers his name. Fair winds and following seas.โ
The Lily Jean had previously been featured on the History Channel series NorโEaster Men, which documented the dangers and demands of New Englandโs commercial fishing industry.
While search operations have concluded, the Coast Guard and relevant agencies continue to review the circumstances surrounding the sinking. Officials have stated that further updates will be released as additional information becomes available.
Authorities have urged the public to keep the victimsโ families and Gloucesterโs fishing community in their thoughts and prayers during this period of profound loss.