Dave Williams was the original lead singer of the rock band Drowning Pool, best known for their hit song “Bodies”. He had a charismatic stage presence and a powerful voice that earned him the nickname “Stage” from his friend Dimebag Darrell of Pantera. He was also a generous and kind person who fulfilled his lifelong dream of buying his parents a house with the sales of his debut album, Sinner. But his life was cut short at the age of 30, when he died of a heart problem on August 14, 2002. What was the cause of his death and how did it affect his band and fans?
The Day He Died
On August 14, 2002, Williams was on tour with Drowning Pool as part of the Ozzfest lineup. The band had played a show in Noblesville, Indiana, the night before and was heading to Manassas, Virginia, for the next gig. Williams was sleeping in his bunk on the tour bus, while the rest of the band and crew were watching DVDs or resting. Around 5:00 a.m., the tour manager turned off Williams’s bunk TV to the sound of his snores. But when he checked on him again at 4:00 p.m., he found him unresponsive and cold. He tried to revive him with CPR, but it was too late. Williams was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
The Cause of His Death
The initial autopsy report was inconclusive, as there were no signs of trauma or foul play on Williams’s body. There were also no traces of drugs or alcohol in his system, contrary to some rumors that he had choked on his own vomit or overdosed. The toxicology report confirmed that he died of natural causes and was not drug or alcohol related, according to Billboard . The final diagnosis was that he had died from heart failure caused by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a condition that thickens the heart muscle and impairs its function. HCM is a genetic disorder that affects about one in 500 people and can cause sudden cardiac death, especially in young athletes. Williams had no symptoms or history of heart problems and was unaware of his condition until his death.
The Legacy He Left Behind
Williams’s death shocked and saddened his bandmates, family, friends, and fans. He was cremated and a public funeral was held in Plano, Texas, on August 18, 2002. A DVD titled Sinema was released in 2003, featuring interviews, footage, and tributes to Williams. His microphone was given to Cristian Machado of Ill Niño, who was a close friend of his. Drowning Pool continued with different vocalists, but never forgot their original singer. They dedicated songs to him, such as “In Memory Of…” and “37 Stitches”, and honored him with events like Stage Fest in Dallas in 2007. Williams was also ranked as one of the top 100 metal vocalists of all time by Hit Parader magazine . His voice and spirit live on in his music and in the hearts of those who loved him.
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