American musician and internet personality Oliver Tree was among six people killed after two helicopters collided over Rio de Janeiro on Sunday morning, according to officials and multiple reports.
The crash happened in the western part of the Brazilian city, near Recreio dos Bandeirantes. Authorities said the helicopters collided in midair before falling to the ground. One of the aircraft crashed near a car dealership, where several electric vehicles caught fire before firefighters extinguished the flames.
All six people aboard the two helicopters died. One aircraft was reportedly carrying five people, while the other was carrying only the pilot.
Police said Oliver Tree was listed among the passengers on documents provided to aviation authorities. Officials initially said formal identification of the victims was still being completed because of the condition of the bodies after the crash.
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Tree, 32, whose full name was Oliver Tree Nickell, was in Brazil as part of a global tour. He had recently performed in Argentina and had posted from Brazil shortly before the crash.
The other victims reportedly included a Brazilian music producer, an Argentine video director and Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim, known online as Gaspi. Authorities have not released a full official account of what caused the collision.
Brazilian aviation authorities and local investigators are expected to examine flight paths, communications, weather conditions, pilot actions and possible air traffic control factors as part of the investigation.
The crash shocked fans around the world because Tree had built a large international following through music, comedy, visual art and internet culture. Known for his bowl haircut, oversized outfits and eccentric public persona, Tree mixed alternative pop, electronic music, comedy and surreal videos into a style that made him stand out in modern music.
He became widely known for songs including “Life Goes On,” “Alien Boy” and “Miss You,” the latter a collaboration with German producer Robin Schulz that became a major international hit. His music reached hundreds of millions of streams, and he maintained a large global audience on platforms such as Spotify and YouTube.
Tree’s career was defined not only by his songs but also by his self-created character. His videos often combined absurd humor, stunts, strange fashion and emotional themes. That unusual mix helped him become a recognizable figure beyond traditional music circles.
Before the crash, Tree had been touring internationally, with shows planned across several countries. His schedule reportedly included dozens of performances around the world.
The accident also drew attention in Latin America because Argentine creator Gaspar Prim was reportedly among those killed. Prim, known as Gaspi, had a large online audience and was part of the growing group of Spanish-language internet personalities who had expanded into entertainment and media projects.
For Brazilian officials, the crash is now a major aviation investigation. Rio de Janeiro has heavy helicopter traffic, particularly around tourist areas, business districts and coastal neighborhoods. Investigators will need to determine how two aircraft came into the same airspace and why the collision was not avoided.
No injuries were reported on the ground, though the crash caused a fire at the dealership where vehicles were parked. Fire crews responded quickly and brought the flames under control.
Fans and fellow artists are expected to continue paying tribute to Tree as more information becomes available. His death marks a sudden end to a career built on reinvention, humor and a distinctive internet-era approach to music.
For now, officials are focused on confirming the identities of all victims and determining what caused the midair collision.
Why It Matters
The crash matters because it killed six people, including an internationally known American musician and other entertainment figures, during what appears to have been a sudden midair collision over one of Brazil’s largest cities.
It also raises questions about helicopter traffic safety in Rio de Janeiro and how aviation authorities manage busy urban airspace.
What Comes Next
Brazilian authorities are expected to continue investigating the cause of the collision. Aviation officials will likely review flight records, pilot communications, maintenance information and weather conditions.
More details may also be released once all victims are formally identified and families are notified.
Reports said Oliver Tree was listed among six people killed after two helicopters collided over Rio de Janeiro, with Brazilian authorities investigating the cause of the crash.
Singer Oliver Tree has reportedly died in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro
Two helicopters collided in mid-air before crashing into an electric vehicle yard, killing six people
via CNN Brasil pic.twitter.com/iZfugB91dD
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) June 14, 2026
