He died when a musical talent agent, two music booking assistants, a professional photographer, a former metal band drummer and software engineer died.
So far, what we know about the victims.
Dave Shapiro
Sound Talent Group Sound Talent Group
Photo by Dave Shapiro.
The plane was registered with Dave Shapiro, a licensed pilot and flight instructor. In addition to providing flight services for his company Velocity Aviation, he was the co-founder of a music representative company called Sound Talent Group.
His company’s website says it represents bands such as Sum 41, Pierce the Veil and Vanessa Carlton. The company said it has offices in San Diego, New York and Nashville. He also owned Velocity Records.
The Sound Talent Group has issued this statement:
“We are devastated by the loss of our co-founders, colleagues and friends. Our hearts are directed at our families and everyone affected by today’s tragedy. Thank you for respecting their privacy at this point.”
The Sound Talent Group shared this bio from Shapiro:
Dave was born in Albany, moved to San Diego and fell in love with Alaska, who began living in 2020.
He began his musical journey as a drummer and was an agent for over 20 years after that he launched several successful businesses as an entrepreneur. Dave collaborated with Matt Andersen and Tim Borror of United Talent Agency before launching his own company, Sound Talent Group in 2018.
Dave’s superpower was his ability to recognize new talent, work with unique skills and sound, and provide advice and resources to make a living in the music industry. Some of your favorite bands are not on your playlist now without Dave.
Dave has influenced the lives of countless people in the music industry, but on a personal level he was the best friend you could hope for. He was the man who gave you a shirt off his back if you needed it.
Dave is survived by his wife Julia, his sister Jennifer and his beloved dogs Amigo, Juneau and the monster.
Kendall Fortner
Fortner Family The Fortner Family
Kendall Fortner
According to her LinkedIn page, Kendall Fortner worked as a booking assistant with the sound talent group. She was also a graduate of San Diego State University.
The sound talent group shared this bio for Fortner on behalf of their family.
She’s been obsessed with music ever since Kendall’s father took her to a concert as a young child. From doo-wops in the 1950s to classic rock, green day and Ed Sheeran, Kendall loved it all. She learned to play a variety of instruments, including piano and guitar.
Born in Glendale, California and raised in Santa Clarita, Kendall graduated from San Diego State University in 2021 to earn a business degree and attended West Ranch High School. Kendall, who internized with the Sound Talent Group at the College, joined the company as a booking associate shortly after graduation.
As early as a teenager, Kendall was interested in working in the business side of music. Working at STG was the perfect fit that showed off her work ethic and her ability to plan tours and festivals around the country.
Farably independent and determined, Kendall was party life, illuminating the room she entered.
She was survived by her parents Gary and Christine, her older brother Jordan and wife Kylie, and her older brother Justin, her wife Hannah and her son Theo.
Emma Hark
Huke family The Huke family
Emma Hark
According to her LinkedIn page, Emma Huke worked as an appointment assistant at Sound Talent Group.
The sound talent group shared this bio on behalf of the family.
Born and raised in Orange County, California, Emma had wanted to work in the music industry from an early age. A passionate dancer, she was part of the Santa Margarita Catholic High School national championship winning team. After graduating from the University of Oregon with a degree in journalism in 2022, Emma completed several internships in the music industry and joined the Sound Talent Group in 2024 as a booking associate.
Emma had nothing more to love than live music. She worked hard to save money so she could travel to concerts and festivals. And although she loved music in all genres, her favorite artist to watch live was Taylor Swift and 1975.
Emma also brought her work a passion for live music. She was smart, organized, and planned and promoted the biggest tour of STG. The client and friends call Emma the power of nature, and she was a beautiful soul that brought joy and light to everyone in her presence.
Emma is survived by her parents, Tim and Allison, and her brother Ellis.
Daniel Williams
Daniel Williams
Daniel Williams was a longtime friend of Shapiro and a former drummer for rock band The Devil Wares Prada. The band posted a message in his memory, writing, “No words. We owe everything to you. We love you forever.”
Williams left the band in 2016 and worked as a software engineer for a large tech company.
Other media reports say Williams survived a mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio in 2019, and escaped without getting injured.
Dominique Damien
Dominique Damien
Dominique Damien was friends with Shapiro for many years. According to his LinkedIn page, he worked as a software engineer at the time of his death.
His social media pages also show his passion for jiu-jitsu. The Pacific Beach Gym, where he attended, is holding a memory event for him on Memorial Day.
Serena Kenyon
Feldman Family Feldman Family
Serena Kenyon
Professional photographer Serena Kenyon also lost her life on a plane. Her professional social media page is packed with high quality photos, including works she has done for her musical act.
Her father, Brian Charles Feldman, shared the photo above and this statement from his family.
Serena Kenyon, 36, was taken from us on the morning of Thursday May 22nd. Selina was an incredible mother, daughter, sister, granddaughter, partner and friend. After popping out to photograph and support her longtime friends, she decided to go home to San Diego with other crew and friends on a private late-night flight rather than a commercial flight, so she was able to get home early to take her daughter to school.
Selina has always been loved and respected for her professional photography career and since.
Family is everything to her.
Selina’s legacy is her daughter, partner, parents and countless families. Our family is devastated beyond these words. The world has lost its beautiful bright light.
On Friday, investigators with the National Safety Transportation Commission said the weather warning system at Montgomery Gibbs Executive Airport and the airport runway lighting were not working when the pilot tried to land before 4am just before the cause of the plane crash was under investigation. The plane also lacked flight data recorders, and investigators were still working to determine whether they were still equipped with a cockpit voice recorder.
The NTSB said the preliminary investigation will not be released for weeks.
Jeanette Quezada of NBC 7 talks about life that was shortened by Thursday’s private jet crash. It includes a music talent agent, two booking assistants, a photographer, a former metal band drummer and a software engineer.
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