American Singer Oliver Tree Killed in Rio Helicopter Collision
On Sunday, June 14, 2026, American singer‑songwriter Oliver Tree, 32, lost his life when two helicopters collided over Rio de Janeiro. The accident, which unfolded in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighbourhood southwest of the city, claimed all six occupants.
The first aircraft carried Tree, music producer Lucas Brito Chaves, director Lucas Vignale, YouTuber Gaspi, and pilot Alexandre Souza. A second helicopter, piloted by a single crew member, struck the first in mid‑air. Both planes crashed into a car‑park at an electric‑vehicle dealership, sparking a fire that was extinguished within hours.
Brazilian authorities are treating the incident as a fatal accident involving two rotary‑wing aircraft and are investigating its cause. No preliminary findings have been released.
Born Oliver Tree Nickell on June 29, 1993, in Santa Cruz, California, Tree entered the electronic‑dance‑music scene in 2010, collaborating with Skrillex and Zeds Dead. He released an independent EP in 2013, paused his career to study music technology at the California Institute of the Arts, and returned in 2016. After signing with Atlantic Records in 2017 following the viral success of “When I’m Down,” he released the gold‑certified album Ugly Is Beautiful (July 17, 2020), Cowboy Tears (February 2022), Alone in a Crowd (September 2023), and Love You Madly Hate You Badly (April 2026). His 2021 single “Life Goes On” and 2022 track “Miss You” earned international recognition.
At the time of the crash, Tree was preparing to launch the first leg of his world tour, The World’s First World Tour. He had performed in São Paulo on June 6 and was scheduled to resume touring in Lisbon on July 13, with plans to cover North America, Europe, Australia, and China.
The victims included Tree, Argentine YouTuber Gaspi, Argentine director Lucas Vignale, and the two pilots. The incident has drawn attention from the music community and Brazilian press.
Police and fire services responded to the crash site early Sunday morning. The fire department reported that debris from the helicopters fell into the dealership’s parking lot, where several electric vehicles were parked. The blaze was contained within hours.
Rio’s southwestern zone has a history of helicopter incidents. In 2009, a police helicopter crashed over a favela, killing two, and the area has seen several mid‑air collisions.
No official statement has yet been released by Tree’s record label or management team, and the family has not issued a public announcement.
The Brazilian military fire department confirmed that an investigation is underway. Police will examine flight data, pilot reports, and air traffic control records to determine a definitive cause.
Oliver Tree’s death marks a significant loss for contemporary music. His blend of pop, hip‑hop, and electronic styles, coupled with his visual artistry, earned him a dedicated fan base worldwide.
The incident also underscores the risks of helicopter travel in densely populated urban areas. Authorities are expected to review safety protocols for future operations.
As of now, the investigation remains ongoing, and no further details are available.
