Oliver Tree Dead at 32 After Helicopter Collision Over Rio de Janeiro

Oliver Tree Dead at 32 Following Tragic Helicopter Crash in Brazil

American alt-pop singer and internet personality Oliver Tree has died at the age of 32 after the helicopter he was traveling in collided with another aircraft over Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The fatal crash, which occurred on Sunday morning, claimed the lives of all six people believed to have been on board the two helicopters.

What Happened at the Crash Site

One of the helicopters plummeted from the sky following the mid-air collision, crashing into the parking lot of a vehicle dealership and igniting a fire that destroyed approximately 20 cars. Dramatic footage circulated by Brazilian news outlets captured the helicopter falling and thick plumes of smoke billowing from the scene.

The Military Fire Department of the State of Rio de Janeiro confirmed it responded to the crash at approximately 09:00 local time (12:00 GMT). Brazilian authorities have since launched a formal investigation to determine the cause of the collision.

Who Was on Board

Argentine content creator Gaspar Prim Diaz, popularly known online as Gaspi, was also believed to have been traveling in one of the helicopters, according to the Associated Press. Other passengers listed on the flight manifest included Lucas Brito Chaves, Lucas Vignale, and pilot Alexandre Souza. The second aircraft's manifest listed only its pilot, Charles Marsillac.

Oliver Tree: A Life and Career Cut Short

Born Oliver Tree Nickell on June 29, 1993, in Santa Cruz, California, Tree first captured public attention in 2016 when he went viral on social media. Recognizable for his signature bowl haircut and boundary-pushing creative style, he built a loyal following through a unique blend of alt-pop music and internet culture.

His discography included fan favorites such as Life Goes On, Miss You, and Alien Boy. In 2023, he teamed up with British YouTuber and boxer KSI on the track Voices, further cementing his cross-platform appeal. He also received a Brit Award nomination in 2024 for Miss You, a collaboration with German producer Robin Schulz.

Tree had only recently kicked off a world tour, with his most recent performance taking place in São Paulo, Brazil, on June 6. He had been scheduled to perform in Lisbon, Portugal, on July 1, followed by dates in Glasgow, Manchester, and London in September — shows that will now never take place.

Beyond music, Tree was known for his offbeat personality and record-breaking stunts. In 2020, he earned a Guinness World Record for constructing the largest kick scooter ever built, measuring an impressive 4.16 meters tall and 3.13 meters long.

Tributes Pour In From Fellow Artists

The music and entertainment world reacted with grief and disbelief following the news of Tree's death.

KSI, who collaborated with Tree and currently serves as a judge on Britain's Got Talent, shared a heartfelt message on X: "Can't believe I'm actually having to type this. You're 32 man. You should still be here. You still had so much life to live. So much music to make. I love you bro."

Jackass star Steve-O, born Stephen Glover, also honored Tree online, writing: "I was incredibly lucky to become friends with Oliver Tree. He would check in on me regularly and let me know he cared. Such a great person... I'm going to miss him."

DJ and producer Diplo, who worked with Tree on Ultraman for a Netflix superhero film, wrote: "I don't think we'll ever have another human like this again. No rules. No apologies. He was 1000% himself and on a mission to add more joy to this music scene."

Singer T-Pain thanked Tree for "always being different in the best way possible," while Bebe Rexha described him as "passionate, talented and kind." Rapper Kid Cudi called Tree "a really amazing and beautiful human."

Oliver Tree leaves behind a legacy of creative fearlessness, a devoted fanbase, and a body of work that defied easy categorization. He was 32 years old.