Oliver Tree, the American alt-pop singer and internet sensation, has died in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was 32. The accident occurred on Sunday morning when two helicopters collided in mid-air, killing all six people on board, according to local firefighters.
Brazilian police confirmed that Tree — born Oliver Tree Nickell in California — was identified by aviation authorities as one of the passengers. The other victims named by CNN Brazil were Lucas Brito Chaves, Gaspar Prim, Lucas Vignale, and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac. One helicopter carried five people; the other carried only its pilot.
The Military Fire Department reported that one of the aircraft fell onto a car dealership, sparking a blaze among parked electric vehicles. Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control. An official investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the collision, which has shocked fans around the world.
Tree first rose to fame on Vine in 2016 with his alter ego Turbo, before signing with Atlantic Records in 2017. His debut album Alien Boy (2018) cemented his place in the electronic music scene, blending retro 80s aesthetics with a distinctive bowl haircut and oversized clothing. His best-known tracks include 'When I’m Down', 'Life Goes On', 'Cash Machine', 'Jerk', and 'Miss You' with Robin Schulz.
At the time of his death, Tree was on a world tour supporting his fourth album, Love You Madly, Hate You Badly. He had performed in São Paulo on 6 June and was due to play in Lisbon on 1 July. The tour had already taken in Mexico City and was scheduled to include stops in China, Antarctica, New Zealand, and South Africa. His music remains available on major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music UK.