Oliver Tree, the American singer, songwriter and internet personality, was among six people killed when two helicopters collided over Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday, June 14, 2026.
The crash happened in the western zone of the city after the aircraft collided in mid-air and came down near a car dealership parking lot, where a fire broke out before being extinguished by firefighters. Authorities said an investigation is under way to determine what caused the collision.
Police said Tree was on the passenger list provided to aviation authorities, but the victims were not immediately identified at the scene. The other people killed included Argentinian creator Gaspar Prim Díaz, known online as Gaspi, along with Lucas Vignale, Lucas Brito Chaves and the two pilots, Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.
News of the crash quickly spread online after a series of Tree’s recent Brazil posts began circulating again on social media, prompting confusion and false rumors before the fatal accident was confirmed. Those clips, which showed him spending time with creators and fans in Brazil, had been posted before the crash.
In the days before the crash, Tree posted several videos from Brazil, including clips with local creators and footage of him enjoying football, food and music. One of the posts showed him with Brazilian creator Akihito, while another featured YouTube personality Iae Break.
“absolute cinema.”
Another post showed Tree singing and dancing with creator Lucas Vinícius. He also shared a message praising Brazilian rock music, writing:
“Brazilian rock is a million times better than American rock.”
After the accident, tributes poured in from creators, fans and fellow musicians who had met him during his trip. Vinícius reflected on their brief meeting and described Tree as someone with a distinctive and free spirit.
“brief encounter”
“be intense and respect our inherent desire to connect without constraints,”
“The comfort will be knowing that I, and anyone fortunate enough to have our paths intertwined with yours, inevitably carry with us and preserve a part of a free and enviable spirit that was put to rest far too soon.”
KSI was among those to post a public tribute, saying he was shocked by the news and praising Tree’s impact on music and online culture.
“Can’t believe I’m actually having to type this. 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. You’re a legend and will always be a legend. Still doesn’t feel real. Genuinely feel sick. I love you bro.”
Tree’s death has also revived attention around comments he made earlier this year about what would happen to his estate. In an April appearance on The Zach Sang Show, he joked that his family would not inherit his money and said he wanted his wealth to go toward supporting artists through a foundation he had discussed for years.
“When I die, my family, no one’s gonna get a penny,” he said. “If I have a wife or kids or anything, they’re not getting a f***ing penny.”
He added that he wanted the money generated by his music to be used to help creative work continue after his death.
At the time of his death, Tree was not married and did not have children. He had been touring in South America and had additional dates scheduled in the United States and Europe.