Tragedy in Brazil: Music Star Oliver Tree Among Victims of Fatal Mid-Air Helicopter Collision
The music world is in shock following the devastating helicopter collision over Rio de Janeiro that claimed six lives, including California-born singer-songwriter Oliver Tree.
The 32-year-old artist, who amassed nearly 20 million followers across social media and shot to global fame with his 2020 breakthrough album “Ugly is Beautiful,” was in Brazil during what he had described as the “biggest tour of his life,” featuring more than 70 performances worldwide.
Tree had performed in São Paulo on June 6 and was preparing to continue the European leg of his tour with a scheduled show in Lisbon, Portugal, on July 13.
The disaster unfolded over the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood in Rio, where two helicopters collided mid-air before crashing into a parking area at an electric vehicle dealership. The impact sparked a massive fire, with wreckage scattered hundreds of meters across the area.
Witness Fernandes de Freitas described the horrifying scene: “It was terrifying, absolutely horrifying.”
Rescue teams found one helicopter engulfed in flames among the vehicles with five victims on board. The wreckage of the second aircraft was discovered around 330 feet away; its pilot also lost his life.
Authorities confirmed that Tree was listed among the passengers, although forensic teams initially faced challenges identifying all victims due to the severity of the crash.
Among those killed were Argentinian YouTuber Gaspar Prim, Brazilian electronic music producer Lucas Brito Chaves (“Lucas Frota”), passenger Lucas Vignale, and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.
In one of his final Instagram videos, titled “Gringo 24 hours in Brazil,” Tree could be seen embracing Brazilian culture — wearing a Brazil football jersey, riding a motorcycle, and getting a haircut.
Tributes have poured in from around the world. Social media personality Iae Break, who appeared in the video, wrote: “I can’t believe you guys are gone.”
YouTuber KSI also shared an emotional farewell, writing:
“You’re 32, man. You should still be here. You still had so much life to live. So much music to make. So much content to make.”
Fire officials said the crash could have been even more catastrophic had the helicopters fallen into the nearby residential area.
Investigators are now examining flight recordings, debris patterns, and eyewitness videos to determine exactly how the deadly mid-air collision occurred.
A rising star, a creator, and a unique voice in modern music — Oliver Tree’s legacy will live on through his music and the millions of fans he inspired around the world.
