Singer Oliver Tree Dies in Helicopter Crash Near Rio de Janeiro
Singer and internet personality Oliver Tree has died at the age of 32 after being involved in a fatal helicopter crash near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The incident occurred on June 14, 2026, when two helicopters collided, resulting in the deaths of six people.
Body Returned to the United States
Tree’s body was returned to the United States one week after the crash. His team confirmed the news in an Instagram post, sharing that he was back in California “where he can finally rest.” The post paid tribute to the late artist, stating, “Rest in peace, Oliver Tree Nickell, June 29, 1993 – June 14, 2026. Your legacy will live on forever.”
A Lasting Legacy Through Philanthropy
Tree’s team announced that his legacy will continue through an endowment he established before his death called “Dr. Oliver Tree’s Extremely Epic Grant For Baby Geniuses.” According to his will, Tree intended for his wealth to be directed toward supporting artists rather than his family. “If I die – I have it set up – my will is set up so that if I pass away, my family, no one gets a penny,” he had previously stated during an appearance on The Zach Sang Show. “The idea is: When I die, all the money goes back to the artists.”
Details of the Crash
The crash involved two helicopters colliding in a car dealership parking lot in Rio de Janeiro. According to the Associated Press, police investigator Alan Luxardo indicated that human error may have been a factor, with authorities investigating whether air traffic controllers or one of the pilots were responsible. The Rio de Janeiro military fire department reported that one of the helicopters crashed into the parking lot, igniting a fire among several parked electric vehicles before it was extinguished.
Among the other victims were Argentine content creator Gaspar Prim Díaz, known as Gaspi, who had over 2.8 million YouTube followers, fellow Argentine Lucas Vignale, and three Brazilian nationals: Lucas Brito, Charles Marsillac, and Alexandre Souza.
A Promising Career Cut Short
Tree was in the middle of his headlining world tour for his fourth studio album, “Love You Madly, Hate You Badly,” which had launched on May 30 in Mexico City. He had recently performed in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on June 4 and shared videos on Instagram of himself playing soccer in a Brazilian neighborhood just days before the accident.
Born Oliver Tree Nickell, the artist first gained attention in 2013 with his debut EP, Demons, and spent his early career producing dubstep under the stage name “Tree.” He signed with Atlantic Records in 2017 and went on to release four studio albums, including Ugly Is Beautiful (2020), Cowboy Tears (2022), Alone in a Crowd (2023), and his final album in April 2026. Beyond music, Tree also held the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest kick scooter in 2020.
With over three million Instagram followers and 17.2 million TikTok followers, Tree had built a significant online presence and a dedicated fanbase that continues to mourn his passing.
