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Tragic End for Rising Star Oliver Tree in Shocking Helicopter Crash

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Oliver Tree, known for his popular songs “Life Goes On” and “Miss You,” has died at 32 years old.

The singer, born Oliver Tree Nickel, was identified as one of the six casualties involved in Sunday’s helicopter crash in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, in the Southwest zone of Rio de Janeiro, reports CNN.

The other victims include passengers Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim (also known as Argentinian YouTuber Gaspi), Lucas Brito Chaves, and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.

Singer Oliver Tree (pictured here performing in Milan, Italy in 2023) died Sunday after being involved in a helicopter crash in Brazil. Corbis via Getty Images

Oliver Tree attends the "Paradise Records" premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Festival.

He was 32 years old. (Seen here is Tree at the 2025 “Paradise Records” premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival). WireImage

According to the outlet, two helicopters collided in the air early Sunday morning while flying over an electric vehicle yard. At least 20 cars were set on fire from the collision after being hit at the crash site.

The local Civil Police informed CNN that the case is ongoing and a forensic examination of the scene has been requested.

Tree was onboard the flight with Vignale, Prim, Chaves, and Souza. Marsillac was flying solo in the other helicopter.

Oliver Tree and Subtronics pose for a portrait backstage at the Sahara Tent during the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

Tree (pictured above posing with Subtronics at the 2026 Coachella music festival) was identified as one of six casualties on the flight. Getty Images for Coachella

A male singer with messy brown hair and red sunglasses holds a microphone and sings on stage.

The musician (pictured above singing onstage) was onboard a helicopter flight with four others when it collided with another helicopter over an electrical vehicle yard. Josh Brasted

In addition to the police, the local Fire Department, CET (Traffic Engineering Company), Comlurb, and teams from 31st BPM (Recreio dos Bandeirantes) have been working to isolate the area.

In a statement, the Brazilian Air Force said: “The Brazilian Air Force (FAB), through the Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA), informs that, this Sunday (June 14th), investigators from the Third Regional Service for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (SERIPA III), based in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), were called to carry out the Initial Action of the incident involving two aircraft, registration numbers PP-MAC and PR-DJJ, in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, in the Southwest Zone of Rio de Janeiro (RJ).”

“During the Initial Action, qualified and accredited professionals apply specific techniques for data collection and confirmation, preservation of evidence, initial verification of damage caused to or by the aircraft, and gathering other information necessary for the investigation,” the statement continued.

Tree was visiting South America as part of his “The World’s First World Tour.” He had just performed a show in São Paulo on June 6 and was scheduled to pick up his tour in Lisbon, Portugal, July 13.

Oliver Tree performing in a red and blue patterned jacket, black bob haircut, sunglasses, and mustache, singing into a microphone on a dark stage with green lighting.

Tree (pictured above onstage in January 2024) was in Brazil as part of his “The World’s First World Tour.” Getty Images

Oliver Tree poses with his mouth open and hands forming a "rock on" sign.

He was scheduled to perform at his next stop in Lisbon, Portugal, on July 13. (Seen here is Tree at Snowglobe Music Festival in December 2017). Getty Images

Born in Santa Cruz, California, Tree first rose to fame at 17 years old in 2010 and started working with big names like Skrillex and Zeds Dead under the moniker “Tree.”

After releasing his independent album in 2013, he then took a step away from music for years to pursue studies in music technology.

He returned to music in 2020 with first studio album, titled “Ugly Is Beautiful,” which featured his platinum hit “Life Goes On.” He followed up the project with “Cowboy Tears,” “Alone in a Crowd,” and his April 2026 album, “Love You Madly Hate You Badly.”

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