Singer Oliver Tree Dies in Helicopter Crash

The music community is mourning the loss of Oliver Tree, who reportedly passed away at age 32 following a tragic helicopter crash in Brazil.

According to reports from CNN Brazil and the Associated Press, the multifaceted singer, songwriter, and producer was among six individuals who lost their lives on Sunday, June 14, when two helicopters collided over Rio de Janeiro.

Tree, born Oliver Tree Nickell, was touring through South America as part of his “World’s First World Tour.” Authorities have identified the other victims as passengers Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim, and Lucas Brito Chaves, along with pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac. The incident took place in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood, and officials have confirmed that an investigation into the cause of the collision is currently underway.

Billboard has reached out to representatives for the late artist for comment.

Known for his iconic bowl cut and distinctive, genre-defying creative persona, Tree released his fourth studio album, Love You Madly Hate You Badly, this past April. He had recently performed in São Paulo on June 6 and maintained a busy schedule with upcoming stops in Lisbon and across major global markets, including the U.S., Europe, Australia, and China.

A native of Santa Cruz, California, Tree first broke into the scene with his 2013 EP Demons. He garnered mainstream attention with his 2016 single “When I’m Down,” eventually securing a major-label partnership with Atlantic Records. Over the course of his career, he released several acclaimed projects, including Ugly Is Beautiful, Cowboy Tears, and Alone in a Crowd.

His artistic impact was solidified by hits like “Life Goes On,” which reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart in 2022, and his dance-pop collaboration with Robin Schulz, “Miss You.”