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Singer Oliver Tree Among Six Killed in Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Collision
A mid‑air collision over Rio de Janeiro’s western zone on Sunday, June 14 2026, killed six people, including American singer‑songwriter Oliver Tree.
The incident unfolded when one helicopter slammed into the parking lot of a car dealership in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighbourhood, setting the concrete and surrounding vegetation ablaze. Firefighters from the Military Fire Department of Rio de Janeiro arrived shortly after the impact and extinguished the flames.
Investigators are combing through flight data and pilot credentials to determine the cause. Police said the passenger list for one of the aircraft was handed to aviation authorities, but the victims’ bodies have not yet been identified. According to the Associated Press, five of the six fatalities were aboard the helicopter that crashed into the dealership lot, while the pilot was the sole occupant of the second aircraft.
Tree, 32, was listed among the passengers of the doomed helicopter. He had been touring South America when the accident occurred. The singer performed in Buenos Aires on June 4 and posted a video of himself playing soccer in a Brazilian neighbourhood on Instagram the following Saturday. His world tour, which began on May 30 in Mexico City, was promoting his fourth studio album, Love You Madly, Hate You Badly, released in April.
Tree first appeared on the music scene with the EP Demons in 2013. After the viral success of “When I’m Down,” he signed with Atlantic Records in 2017 and has since released four studio albums: Ugly Is Beautiful (2020), Cowboy Tears (2022), Alone in a Crowd (2023), and Love You Madly, Hate You Badly (2026). In 2020 he set a Guinness World Record for the largest kick scooter, measuring 4.16 m tall and 3.13 m long.
The crash prompted outpourings of grief from fellow artists and internet personalities. Comedian Whitney Cummings wrote that “Oliver Tree is one of the most talented people on earth … We lost a giant.” Singer‑songwriter Melanie Martinez, who had dated Tree, posted that she felt “an absolute wreck today” and praised his dedication to art. British influencer KSI expressed disbelief, noting that Tree was “still 32, had so much life to live.” Bebe Rexha, who had recorded a track with Tree for her album Dirty Blonde, said she was in shock and remembered his “smart, passionate, talented, kind” nature. Other figures, including Steve‑O, T‑Pain, and bbno$, also posted condolences and highlighted Tree’s creativity.
The investigation is being conducted by Brazilian aviation authorities and the Civil Police of the State of Rio de Janeiro. A police spokesperson has not yet responded to requests for comment. The probe will focus on flight data, pilot qualifications, and potential mechanical or procedural failures that could have led to the collision.
The incident underscores the risks associated with helicopter operations in densely populated urban areas. While the exact cause remains unknown, authorities are reviewing flight logs and interviewing crew members to determine whether weather, mechanical failure, or pilot error contributed to the tragedy.
At present, the investigation is ongoing and no definitive cause has been announced. The music community continues to mourn Tree’s loss, and fans await further updates from the authorities. No new releases or tour dates have been announced following the incident.
The incident unfolded when one helicopter slammed into the parking lot of a car dealership in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighbourhood, setting the concrete and surrounding vegetation ablaze. Firefighters from the Military Fire Department of Rio de Janeiro arrived shortly after the impact and extinguished the flames.
Investigators are combing through flight data and pilot credentials to determine the cause. Police said the passenger list for one of the aircraft was handed to aviation authorities, but the victims’ bodies have not yet been identified. According to the Associated Press, five of the six fatalities were aboard the helicopter that crashed into the dealership lot, while the pilot was the sole occupant of the second aircraft.
Tree, 32, was listed among the passengers of the doomed helicopter. He had been touring South America when the accident occurred. The singer performed in Buenos Aires on June 4 and posted a video of himself playing soccer in a Brazilian neighbourhood on Instagram the following Saturday. His world tour, which began on May 30 in Mexico City, was promoting his fourth studio album, Love You Madly, Hate You Badly, released in April.
Tree first appeared on the music scene with the EP Demons in 2013. After the viral success of “When I’m Down,” he signed with Atlantic Records in 2017 and has since released four studio albums: Ugly Is Beautiful (2020), Cowboy Tears (2022), Alone in a Crowd (2023), and Love You Madly, Hate You Badly (2026). In 2020 he set a Guinness World Record for the largest kick scooter, measuring 4.16 m tall and 3.13 m long.
The crash prompted outpourings of grief from fellow artists and internet personalities. Comedian Whitney Cummings wrote that “Oliver Tree is one of the most talented people on earth … We lost a giant.” Singer‑songwriter Melanie Martinez, who had dated Tree, posted that she felt “an absolute wreck today” and praised his dedication to art. British influencer KSI expressed disbelief, noting that Tree was “still 32, had so much life to live.” Bebe Rexha, who had recorded a track with Tree for her album Dirty Blonde, said she was in shock and remembered his “smart, passionate, talented, kind” nature. Other figures, including Steve‑O, T‑Pain, and bbno$, also posted condolences and highlighted Tree’s creativity.
The investigation is being conducted by Brazilian aviation authorities and the Civil Police of the State of Rio de Janeiro. A police spokesperson has not yet responded to requests for comment. The probe will focus on flight data, pilot qualifications, and potential mechanical or procedural failures that could have led to the collision.
The incident underscores the risks associated with helicopter operations in densely populated urban areas. While the exact cause remains unknown, authorities are reviewing flight logs and interviewing crew members to determine whether weather, mechanical failure, or pilot error contributed to the tragedy.
At present, the investigation is ongoing and no definitive cause has been announced. The music community continues to mourn Tree’s loss, and fans await further updates from the authorities. No new releases or tour dates have been announced following the incident.
