Singer Oliver Tree dies at age 32 after helicopter crash in Brazil

Singer Oliver Tree, known for his popular song Life Goes On, has died at age 32 in a helicopter crash in Brazil. 

The singer, whose real name is Oliver Tree Nickel, has been identified as one of the six people on board who died in the helicopter crash in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, in the southwest zone of Rio de Janeiro.

The other victims include passengers Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim - also known as Argentinian YouTuber Gaspi, Lucas Brito Chaves, and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac, according to CNN Brazil. 

According to the outlet, two helicopters collided in the air on Sunday morning while flying over an electric vehicle yard. At least 20 cars were set on fire from the collision.

Tree was onboard the flight with Vignale, Prim, Chaves, and Souza. Marsillac was flying solo in the other helicopter.

The local Civil Police have told CNN and other outlets that the case is ongoing and a forensic examination of the scene has been requested. 

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In a statement, the Brazilian Air Force said: “The Brazilian Air Force (FAB), through the Center for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (CENIPA), informs that, this Sunday (June 14th), investigators from the Third Regional Service for Investigation and Prevention of Aeronautical Accidents (SERIPA III), based in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), were called to carry out the Initial Action of the incident involving two aircraft, registration numbers PP-MAC and PR-DJJ, in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, in the Southwest Zone of Rio de Janeiro (RJ).”

“During the Initial Action, qualified and accredited professionals apply specific techniques for data collection and confirmation, preservation of evidence, initial verification of damage caused to or by the aircraft, and gathering other information necessary for the investigation.” 

Tree was in South America for his The World’s First World Tour. 

He had performed in São Paulo on June 6 and was scheduled to pick up his tour in Lisbon, Portugal, July 13.

The tour kicked off May 30 in Mexico City, and was scheduled to include stops in China, Japan, Antarctica, New Zealand and South Africa.

Tree, who has become known for his signature bowl cut and vibrant ’80s fashion, first rose to fame at just 17 in 2010, working with big names including Skrillex and Zeds Dead under the moniker ‘Tree.’

Tree built a significant following on social media, particularly on TikTok, where he had amassed 15.4 million followers.

He was still posting up until the day of the accident, sharing a reel on Instagram joking about how an American spends their first day in Brazil which included playing soccer, a haircut and enjoying the local cuisine.