Oliver Tree, the singer and comedian known for “Life Goes On,” “Miss You,” and his deliberately strange visual style, has been reported among six people killed in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro. He was 32.
Entertainment Weekly reported that Tree died Sunday, June 14, after two helicopters collided over Recreio dos Bandeirantes, in Rio de Janeiro’s western zone. The crash killed all six people aboard the two aircraft.
The Associated Press reported that firefighters said one of the helicopters crashed into a car dealership parking lot, where several electric vehicles caught fire. Officials said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collision.
AP also reported that police said Tree was on the passenger list handed to aviation authorities, though the bodies had not yet been formally identified at the time of its report. Entertainment outlets including EW, People, and Page Six have reported Tree’s death based on Brazilian reporting and police information.
The Helicopters Collided Over Western Rio
People reported that the crash involved five people in one helicopter and the pilot of the other aircraft. The Rio de Janeiro Civil Police said in a statement obtained by People that the investigation is being handled by the 42nd Police Precinct, with a forensic examination conducted at the scene and a report expected from Brazil’s Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents.
The crash site was described by AP as a car dealership parking lot. The fire department said the blaze among the parked electric vehicles was extinguished, and authorities are still working through the cause of the midair collision.
Other Victims Included Gaspar Prim and Two Pilots
Entertainment Weekly identified the other victims as passengers Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim, Lucas Brito Chaves, and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac. People reported that Prim, 23, was an Argentine YouTuber known online as Gaspi.
People also reported that the six bodies were expected to undergo forensic examination for identification and comparison with Air Operations Center records. Tree’s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Entertainment Weekly and People.
Tree Was Touring Before the Crash
Page Six reported that Tree was in Brazil as part of his wider touring schedule. People reported that he had performed in São Paulo on June 6 and was next scheduled to play Lisbon, Portugal, on July 1, with additional tour stops listed in Spain, Austria, the United States, and China.
AP reported that Tree had performed in Buenos Aires on June 4 and posted an Instagram video Saturday showing himself playing soccer in a Brazilian neighborhood.
He Built a Career Around Music, Comedy, and Visual Chaos
Born Oliver Tree Nickell in Santa Cruz, California, Tree became known for mixing alternative pop, electronic music, hip-hop, comedy, and surreal visuals. EW reported that he gained early online attention through Vine and later broke through with “When I’m Down,” before signing with Atlantic Records.
His bowl cut, oversized clothing, scooter stunts, and “Turbo” persona made him instantly recognizable, but his biggest songs moved beyond the joke. “Life Goes On” became one of his signature tracks, while “Miss You,” his collaboration with Robin Schulz, expanded his audience internationally.
EW reported that Tree released Ugly Is Beautiful in 2020, followed by Cowboy Tears, Alone in a Crowd, and Love You Madly, Hate You Badly. People reported that the last album was released on April 24.
Authorities Are Still Investigating the Crash
Brazilian authorities have not announced a cause for the collision. People reported that Civil Police said agents were awaiting findings from aviation accident investigators, while AP reported that officials had opened an investigation after the two helicopters crashed Sunday morning.