Families Confirm Identities of Passengers Killed in San Diego Jet Crash

Billboard has learned the identities of all six individuals killed in a fiery jet crash early Thursday morning (May 22) in San Diego, California.

The victims of the crash include Kendall Fortner, Emma Lynn Huke, Dominic Damian and Celina Kenyon. Billboard previously reported that talent agent and the flight’s pilot, Dave Shapiro, and Daniel Williams, former drummer with metal band The Devil Wears Prada, were among those who perished in the crash early Saturday morning just two miles south of an executive airport in San Diego. The crash caused a massive fire as it tore through the residential enclave, damaging homes, melting vehicles and causing panic in the coastal suburb where residents were shocked but, thankfully, uninjured from the violent crash that killed all six passengers.  

Fortner, 24, had interned at Sound Talent Group while a student at San Diego State University, joining the company after graduating in 2021 with a degree in business. Fortner was born in Glendale, California, and raised in Santa Clarita, attending West Ranch High School. 

“Ever since Kendall’s father took her to concerts at a young age, she was hooked on music,” a letter from Sound Talent Group reads. “From 1950s doo-wop to classic rock, Green Day to Ed Sheeran, Kendall loved it all. She taught herself to play a variety of instruments, including piano and guitar.” 

Fortner had expressed interest in working in the music business as a teenager, “and the job at STG was a perfect fit that showcased her work ethic and ability to plan tours and festivals nationwide,” the letter continued. “Fiercely independent and strong-willed, Kendall was the life of the party and lit up any room she entered.”  

Fortner is survived by her parents Gary and Kristin, her brother Justin and his wife Hannah and their son, Theo, and her brother Jordan and his wife Kailey.  

Huke, 25, was born and raised in Orange County, California, and attended Santa Margarita Catholic High School, where she was part of a national championship-winning dance team. 

“After graduating from the University of Oregon in 2022 with a degree in journalism, Emma completed several internships in the music industry before joining Sound Talent Group in 2024 as a booking associate,” according to STG. 

“There was nothing Emma loved more than live music. She worked hard to save up money so she could travel to concerts and festivals. And while she loved all genres of music, her favorite artists to see live were Taylor Swift and The 1975,” the letter read. “Emma also brought that passion for live music to her work. She was smart and organized, helping STG plan and promote their biggest tours. Clients and friends called Emma a force of nature, and she was a beautiful soul who brought joy and a light to everyone in her presence.” 

Huke is survived by her parents, Tim and Allison, and her younger sibling, Ellis. 

Damian was a personal friend of Shapiro and worked as a senior software engineer, according to his LinkedIn page.   

Damian held a black belt in Brazilian Jui-Jitsu who trained at Baret Yoshida’s gym in San Diego, where Damian lived. The gym is honoring Damian on Monday (Mat 26) in a special event. 

“Dom was intelligent, thoughtful and had amazing jiu jitsu. A really kind guy who will be missed,” one online poster wrote. 

Kenyon, 36, was a professional photographer who had joined the group to take photographs at a concert. Kenyon “decided to fly home to San Diego with other crew and friends on a late night private flight rather than a commercial flight so she could get home early to take her daughter to school,” a letter from Kenyon’s family reads, describing the San Diego resident as “an amazing mother, daughter, sister, grand-daughter, partner and friend.” 

“Celina’s legacy is her daughter and partner, her parents, as well as countless family members,” they continue. “Our family is devastated beyond these words. The world has lost a beautiful bright light.” 

The letter from STG also included additional information about Shapiro, who had moved to Alaska in 2020.  

“Dave’s superpower was his ability to recognize new talent, work with their unique skills and sound, and give them the counsel and resources to make a living in the music industry. Some of your favorite bands wouldn’t be on your playlists right now without Dave,” the letter read.  

“Dave impacted the lives of countless people in the music industry, but on a personal level, he was the best friend you could ever want – funny, full of life, always passionate about music, and never jaded. He was the guy that would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it,” according to the letter. 

Shapiro is survived by his wife, Julia; his sister, Jennifer, and her children, Isabella and Jonathan Lee, and Dave’s beloved dogs, Amigo, Juneau and Monster.  

Williams, 39, is a former drummer and founding member of the band The Devil Wears Prada. He was a native of Dayton, Ohio, who began playing drums in the sixth grade. 

Williams left the band in 2016 to pursue a career in the tech industry, serving as a senior software architect at GoPro and Apple Inc.