Oliver Tree, the alternative-pop artist born in Santa Cruz, California, is presumed dead after a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 14, 2026. The 32-year-old musician was listed as a passenger on one of two helicopters that collided mid-air, killing all six people on board, according to reports from CNN Brazil, the Associated Press, and local police.
The Rio de Janeiro Military Fire Department confirmed six fatalities and dispatched 50 firefighters and 15 vehicles to the scene on Avenida das Américas, where the wreckage ignited a fire that destroyed at least 20 vehicles in a car dealership parking lot. An investigation is underway by Rio de Janeiro's State Civil Police and the Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center to determine the cause of the collision.
Forensic examinations will be conducted to identify the victims. USA TODAY has reached out to Tree's representatives for comment.
Oliver Tree, whose full name is Oliver Tree Nickell, rose to fame with his 2021 hit "Life Goes On," which debuted on the Billboard Top 100 chart. He was known for his signature bowl-cut hairstyle and goofy internet persona, which he used to draw attention to his music, as he told Billboard in 2023.
His other popular songs include "Miss You" from his 2023 album "Alone in a Crowd," which peaked at 84 on the Top 100. In his Spotify bio, he described himself as an internet-based vocalist, producer, writer, director, and performance artist who explored the intersection of pop and alternative music.
Tree had performed in São Paulo on June 6 as part of his Love You Madly, Hate You Badly World’s First World Tour, supporting his album "Love You Madly Hate You Badly," released on April 24. He was scheduled to begin the European leg of his tour in Lisbon on July 1, followed by a North American tour starting July 21, including a performance at the Quarry Amphitheater in his hometown of Santa Cruz on August 2.
Two months before the crash, he made a surprise appearance during Weekend 1 of Coachella, joining Subtronics on the Sahara Stage.
Tree did not have any known children. In an April 24 interview on the "Zach Sang Show," he stated that his future children and partner would not inherit any of his wealth.
Instead, he set up his will to direct all residuals from his songs to a foundation he started called Dr. Oliver Tree's Art Grants for Baby Geniuses, which would fund the physical creation of art, such as renting equipment or hiring people to record original music.