Singer Oliver Tree confirmed dead in helicopter crash that killed 6 in Rio de Janeiro

American singer Oliver Tree and five others were killed in a mid-air helicopter collision in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, June 14. Brazilian police confirmed all six victims on Thursday, June 18, including the 32-year-old musician whose real name was Oliver Tree Nickell. The other identified victims were 23-year-old YouTuber Gaspar Prim (known online as Gaspi) from Argentina, Brazilians Lucas Brito, Charles Marsillac, and Alexandre Souza, and Argentine Lucas Vignale.

According to the Rio de Janeiro Military Fire Department, the two helicopters collided in mid-air and crashed into the parking lot of an electric car dealership in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood, igniting a fire that consumed at least 20 vehicles. Emergency responders, including 50 military firefighters and 15 vehicles, responded to the scene and contained the blaze. The Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center is investigating the cause of the accident and is expected to issue a formal report.

Tree, born in Santa Cruz, California, had risen to prominence with his 2021 single "Life Goes On," which gained significant traction on TikTok and marked his Billboard Top 100 debut. His recent album "Love You Madly Hate You Badly" was released on April 24, and he had been touring to support it, having performed in São Paulo on June 6. He was scheduled to perform in Lisbon on July 1. Two months before the crash, Tree made a surprise appearance at Coachella's Weekend 1, performing with Subtronics on the Sahara Stage. In his Spotify biography, Tree described himself as "an internet-based vocalist, producer, writer, director and performance artist" who explored "the intersection where pop and alternative meet sonically."