In a tragic incident on 14 June, six individuals, including the musician Oliver Tree, lost their lives in a mid-air collision between two helicopters in Rio de Janeiro. The news has been met with shock and sorrow from fans and fellow artists alike, as the young singer-songwriter was only 32 years old.
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Tree, whose full name was Oliver Tree Nickell, was in Brazil for a promotional tour. His excitement for the trip was evident in social media posts shared prior to the tragedy. In the lead-up to his untimely death, he shared moments from his experience in Brazil, where he was seen enjoying local cuisine and spending time with friends.

On 13 June, just a day before the accident, Tree collaborated with Brazilian influencer Iae Break to create a light-hearted video posted on Instagram. The playful footage featured Tree joking about his first visit to Brazil, comparing himself to famous Brazilian footballer Neymar while playfully brandishing a replica of the FIFA World Cup trophy. The video also included scenes of Tree riding a motorcycle and grilling meat, capturing the joyful spirit of his first visit.
In emotional posts following the incident, Break paid tribute to Tree, expressing disbelief over the tragic loss. The influencer shared images of the pair, taking in the stunning views across Rio de Janeiro, alongside a heartfelt message in Portuguese that conveyed his deep sorrow.
Tree’s music career had been thriving, with over two million followers on Instagram. His latest album, “Love You Madly Hate You Badly,” was released just a few months earlier, and prior to his trip to Brazil, he had performed live in São Paulo on 6 June. His upcoming performance was scheduled for Lisbon on 1 July, indicating a momentum in his career that has now been cut short so unexpectedly.
Reports from CNN Brazil indicate that the helicopter crash resulted in no survivors. The military fire department in Rio de Janeiro confirmed that one of the helicopters came down in a car dealership parking lot, resulting in a fire and leading to catastrophic outcomes for all involved.
Following the crash, the Civil Police of the State of Rio de Janeiro issued a statement confirming that an investigation is underway. They noted that forensic examinations were being conducted, and victims’ identities would be established through comparison with data from the Air Operations Centre.
In addition to Tree, the crash also claimed the lives of several other individuals, including Gaspar Prim, an Argentine YouTuber known as Gaspi, alongside Lucas Vignale, Lucas Brito Chaves, and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac. This tragic event has raised many questions, and authorities are thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding this devastating accident.
The untimely passing of Oliver Tree and the others in this tragic event has undoubtedly left a significant void in the music industry and among their families and friends. Tributes continue to pour in from fans and fellow musicians who are mourning the loss of a talented artist and the bright future that lay ahead of him.
As the investigation continues, the music world and fans alike are left to reflect on the impact Tree made in his short life and the memories he created during his time in Brazil.
