Oliver Tree reportedly died in a helicopter crash in Brazil. He was 32 years old.
The genre-blending singer, songwriter and producer was one of six people killed when two helicopters collided over Rio de Janeiro on Sunday (June 14), according to CNN Brazil and the Associated Press.
Tree, whose full name is Oliver Tree Nickell, was traveling through South America as part of his first world tour.
The other victims were identified as passengers Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Primm and Lucas Brito Chavez, and pilots Alexandre Sousa and Charles Marsillac.
The clash reportedly occurred in the Recrio dos Bandeirantes area of Rio de Janeiro’s western zone. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.
Billboard has reached out to a representative for Tree for comment.
The California-born artist released her fourth studio album, Love You Madly Hate You Badly, in April. Tree, known for his distinctive bowl hair and eccentric personality, was scheduled to perform in São Paulo on June 6 and play against Portugal’s Lisbon in early July. Additional tour dates were planned in the United States, Europe, Australia, and China.
Born on June 29, 1993 in Santa Cruz, California, Tree began his music career in 2013 with the EP Demons. His 2016 single “When I’m Down” attracted attention, leading to a contract with Atlantic Records the following year.
Tree has released four studio albums on Atlantic: 2020’s Ugly Is Beautiful, 2022’s Cowboy Tears, 2023’s Alone in a Cloud, and 2026’s Love You Madly Hate You Badly. Before signing with a label, he independently released the album Splitting Branches under the name Tree in 2013.
Among his biggest hits, “Life Goes On” reached No. 7 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart in 2022. His major debut album, “Ugly is Beautiful,” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart in 2020. Additionally, his collaboration with Robin Schulz, “Miss You,” rose to No. 4 on the 2022 Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.
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