American musician Oliver Tree dies in helicopter crash in Brazil - reports
By Neil Ramos
American singer-songwriter and internet personality Oliver Tree has reportedly died in a helicopter crash in Brazil at the age of 32, according to multiple media reports.
Brazilian news outlets reported that two helicopters collided mid-air over Rio de Janeiro on Sunday morning before crashing in the city's western district of Recreio dos Bandeirantes. All six people aboard the two aircraft were reportedly killed.
The Rio de Janeiro military fire department said one of the helicopters crashed into the parking area of an electric vehicle dealership, sparking a fire that engulfed several vehicles. Firefighters later extinguished the blaze.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collision.
According to a police source cited by media, Tree was among the passengers on one of the helicopters. However, officials said formal identification of the victims was still ongoing because the bodies were badly burned in the crash.
Also reported to have been on board were a Brazilian music producer, an Argentine video director, and Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim, popularly known online as Gaspi.
Witnesses said the helicopters collided in mid-air before plunging into the dealership's parking lot, setting around 20 vehicles on fire. One helicopter was carrying five people, while the other had only the pilot on board. There were no survivors.
Tree gained international fame for his unique bowl-cut hairstyle, eccentric online persona, and hit songs such as "Life Goes On," "Miss You," and "Alien Boy." He amassed more than 11 million monthly listeners on Spotify, with several of his songs attracting hundreds of millions of streams worldwide.
The singer also enjoyed a following among Filipino listeners, particularly on streaming platforms and social media, where tracks like "Miss You" and "Life Goes On" became popular through short-form video content.
At the time of the reported crash, Tree was traveling as part of a global tour that was scheduled to include more than 70 performances across 30 countries on seven continents.
Just a day before the incident, Tree shared a video on Instagram showing himself playing football in a Brazilian neighborhood. Earlier this month, he had performed in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
In 2024, Tree received a Brit Award nomination for International Song alongside German producer Robin Schulz for their collaboration "Miss You," which reached No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart.
Beyond music, Tree was also known for his quirky stunts. In 2020, he earned a Guinness World Record after riding what was recognized as the world's largest kick scooter, measuring 4.16 meters tall and 3.13 meters long.
Authorities are expected to release further information as the investigation into the crash continues.