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Oliver Tree Killed in Rio Helicopter Crash; Girlfriend Releases Tribute and Demands Privacy
A mid‑air collision over Rio de Janeiro’s Southwest Zone on Sunday, June 14, 2026, sent two helicopters spiraling into the sky and ended with the loss of all six occupants, including 32‑year‑old American singer‑songwriter Oliver Tree.
The crash unfolded just before 9 a.m. local time in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighbourhood, according to the Military Fire Department of Rio de Janeiro. Tree was en route on the world tour for his fourth studio album, Love You Madly Hate You Badly, which debuted in April 2026. He had performed in São Paulo on June 6 and was scheduled to play Lisbon on July 1.
Authorities identified the victims as Tree, Argentine content creator Gaspar Prim Díaz (known online as Gaspi), Argentine director Lucas Vignale, and Brazilian music producer Lucas Brito Chaves.
The collision forced one helicopter to crash into a car‑dealership parking lot, igniting a blaze that engulfed 15 vehicles. The Military Firefighters Corps extinguished the fire after the impact.
A spokesperson for the Rio de Janeiro State Civil Police Press Office said that the six bodies would undergo forensic examination for identification.
The State of Rio de Janeiro posted a statement on X expressing deep sorrow for the victims and offering solidarity to their families. Brazilian aviation authorities are conducting the investigation.
The news has sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans and former collaborators. On June 14, ex‑partner Melanie Martinez posted on Instagram that she has been “an absolute wreck” since the incident.
On June 17, Tree’s girlfriend, freelance stylist and creative director Fiona Chernavskaya, posted a series of Instagram Stories that served as a tribute. She shared photos and videos of herself with Tree, including an image of him in a tuxedo at what appears to be a wedding. Over the snap she wrote, “Thank you for all the kind words. I appreciate every ounce of support at this time. There are so many who have been affected by his passing, please show them love too.”
Chernavskaya also addressed speculation about Tree’s personal life. She wrote, “And please have some respect for my privacy, we kept our relationship very intimate. What I really don’t need is to see gossip about other women that Oliver may have been seeing, we were monogamous. Right now I’m mourning my partner and best friend, anything else is unimportant. Please have some respect.”
Earlier, on June 16, she posted an open letter to Tree on her feed. The letter read, “To my best friend, we traveled to 43 countries, and all 7 continents together. The magic, inspiration and joy you brought to my life and others, will never be forgotten or replaced. You’d always tell me when we argued, if things don’t work out in this lifetime, you will find me in the next. I love you buggy.”
The comments on the June 16 post were filled with questions about the number of girlfriends Tree had, prompting Chernavskaya’s clarification. She also thanked fans for their support.
The crash has drawn attention to aviation safety in Brazil. The Military Fire Department reported that the collision involved two helicopters, one of which fell onto a parking lot, causing a fire that was quickly extinguished. The investigation will determine the cause of the mid‑air collision.
Tree’s career began with the viral single “When I’m Down” in 2017, which led to a contract with Atlantic Records. He released his debut album Ugly Is Beautiful in July 2020, followed by Cowboy Tears (February 2022), Alone in a Crowd (September 2023), and Love You Madly Hate You Badly (April 2026). His music, described as genre‑defying, earned international recognition with hits such as “Life Goes On” and “Miss You.”
The music community has responded with condolences from fellow artists, record labels, and fans worldwide. The incident has also prompted discussions about the safety of artist travel arrangements, especially for touring musicians who rely on helicopter transport in large cities.
As the investigation continues, the industry and fans await further details on the cause of the crash and the full list of victims. Tree’s legacy will be remembered through his music and the impact he had on audiences across the globe.
The crash unfolded just before 9 a.m. local time in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighbourhood, according to the Military Fire Department of Rio de Janeiro. Tree was en route on the world tour for his fourth studio album, Love You Madly Hate You Badly, which debuted in April 2026. He had performed in São Paulo on June 6 and was scheduled to play Lisbon on July 1.
Authorities identified the victims as Tree, Argentine content creator Gaspar Prim Díaz (known online as Gaspi), Argentine director Lucas Vignale, and Brazilian music producer Lucas Brito Chaves.
The collision forced one helicopter to crash into a car‑dealership parking lot, igniting a blaze that engulfed 15 vehicles. The Military Firefighters Corps extinguished the fire after the impact.
A spokesperson for the Rio de Janeiro State Civil Police Press Office said that the six bodies would undergo forensic examination for identification.
The State of Rio de Janeiro posted a statement on X expressing deep sorrow for the victims and offering solidarity to their families. Brazilian aviation authorities are conducting the investigation.
The news has sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans and former collaborators. On June 14, ex‑partner Melanie Martinez posted on Instagram that she has been “an absolute wreck” since the incident.
On June 17, Tree’s girlfriend, freelance stylist and creative director Fiona Chernavskaya, posted a series of Instagram Stories that served as a tribute. She shared photos and videos of herself with Tree, including an image of him in a tuxedo at what appears to be a wedding. Over the snap she wrote, “Thank you for all the kind words. I appreciate every ounce of support at this time. There are so many who have been affected by his passing, please show them love too.”
Chernavskaya also addressed speculation about Tree’s personal life. She wrote, “And please have some respect for my privacy, we kept our relationship very intimate. What I really don’t need is to see gossip about other women that Oliver may have been seeing, we were monogamous. Right now I’m mourning my partner and best friend, anything else is unimportant. Please have some respect.”
Earlier, on June 16, she posted an open letter to Tree on her feed. The letter read, “To my best friend, we traveled to 43 countries, and all 7 continents together. The magic, inspiration and joy you brought to my life and others, will never be forgotten or replaced. You’d always tell me when we argued, if things don’t work out in this lifetime, you will find me in the next. I love you buggy.”
The comments on the June 16 post were filled with questions about the number of girlfriends Tree had, prompting Chernavskaya’s clarification. She also thanked fans for their support.
The crash has drawn attention to aviation safety in Brazil. The Military Fire Department reported that the collision involved two helicopters, one of which fell onto a parking lot, causing a fire that was quickly extinguished. The investigation will determine the cause of the mid‑air collision.
Tree’s career began with the viral single “When I’m Down” in 2017, which led to a contract with Atlantic Records. He released his debut album Ugly Is Beautiful in July 2020, followed by Cowboy Tears (February 2022), Alone in a Crowd (September 2023), and Love You Madly Hate You Badly (April 2026). His music, described as genre‑defying, earned international recognition with hits such as “Life Goes On” and “Miss You.”
The music community has responded with condolences from fellow artists, record labels, and fans worldwide. The incident has also prompted discussions about the safety of artist travel arrangements, especially for touring musicians who rely on helicopter transport in large cities.
As the investigation continues, the industry and fans await further details on the cause of the crash and the full list of victims. Tree’s legacy will be remembered through his music and the impact he had on audiences across the globe.
