Oliver Tree, Eccentric Musician, Dies at 32 in Crash

Oliver Tree Nickell, the American singer-songwriter, comedian, and internet personality known for his eccentric style, genre-blending music, and viral hits including “Life Goes On” and “Alien Boy,” died on June 14 at age 32 in a mid-air helicopter collision in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Associated Press reported.

Tree was among six people killed when two helicopters collided over the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood in Rio’s West Zone at approximately 8:59 a.m. local time. The Bell 206B JetRanger III carrying Tree and four others crashed into the parking lot of a BYD electric car dealership, igniting a fire that destroyed roughly 20 vehicles. The second helicopter, a Eurocopter HB350 B Esquilo carrying only its pilot, also crashed. All six occupants died. Tree’s body was confirmed via dental analysis on June 16 due to extensive thermal damage, according to the BBC.

The Crash and Investigation

The collision occurred as Tree was in Brazil on his “World’s First World Tour,” supporting his fourth studio album, Love You Madly Hate You Badly, which he released independently on his own Alien Boy Records after leaving Atlantic Records. The tour — 70 planned concerts across 30 countries and all seven continents — had commenced on May 30 in Mexico City. Tree’s final performance was in São Paulo on June 6; his next scheduled show was July 1 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Brazilian authorities, including the Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center (CENIPA) and local police, are investigating the cause of the collision. Police investigator Alan Luxardo stated that human error is a possible cause, with inquiries focused on whether the pilot or air traffic controllers were responsible, the AP reported.

In addition to Tree, the victims included Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim Díaz (known as Gaspi, 23), Argentine film director Lucas A. Vignale, Brazilian music producer Lucas Frota, and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.

A Genre-Defying Career

Born June 29, 1993, in Santa Cruz, California, to parents who worked as traveling circus performers, Tree began classical piano lessons at age three. He launched his recording career in 2010 and signed to Atlantic Records in 2016 after his song “When I’m Down” went viral. His major-label debut EP, Alien Boy, arrived in 2018, and his debut studio album, Ugly Is Beautiful, was released in July 2020, debuting at No. 14 on the Billboard 200 and topping the Top Alternative Albums chart.

Tree’s music defied easy categorization, blending alternative rock, hip-hop, electro-pop, and pop-punk. His platinum-certified singles included “Alien Boy,” “Hurt,” “Life Goes On” — which became a global TikTok phenomenon in 2021 — and “Miss You,” his 2022 collaboration with German DJ Robin Schulz. He released three more albums: the country-pop detour Cowboy Tears (2022), Alone in a Crowd (2023), and his final album, Love You Madly Hate You Badly (April 2026).

Beyond music, Tree cultivated a distinctive comedic persona marked by bright ’80s fashion, a signature bowl cut, and elaborate alter egos including “Turbo” and “Cornelius Cummings.” He set a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest kick scooter and once bathed in Flamin’ Hot Cheetos for a music video. His social media following was enormous: 22.6 million on TikTok, 8.6 million on YouTube, and 5 million on Instagram.

Tributes Pour In

Following news of his death, tributes flooded in from across the music and entertainment world. Rapper Kid Cudi wrote on X: “Spoke to Oliver a few weeks ago. This is heartbreaking. A really amazing and beautiful human. Oliver we love you, forever.”

Singer Melanie Martinez, Tree’s former partner, shared on Instagram: “Been an absolute wreck today. He was so dedicated to his art which I admired and respected so deeply. His laugh was so contagious and warm.”

Bebe Rexha wrote on X: “I’m in shock … He was so smart. Passionate. Talented. Kind. I’m so sad. May he rest in peace.”

Final Wish and Legacy

Tree’s family announced that his final wish, written in his will, was to establish a foundation called “Dr. Oliver Tree’s Extremely Epic Grant For Baby Geniuses” to support artists in creating physical art. In an interview on the Zach Sang Show in April 2026, Tree stated: “I don’t believe that any of the wealth, or the things that get made from it, is mine. So when I die, my will is set up that when I pass, my family, no one’s going to get a penny.”

His family confirmed the foundation’s establishment in a statement on his Instagram account: “We will make sure his wish comes to fruition so that more joy, love and art can be spread into the world, that was his final wish.”

What’s Next

The investigation into the collision continues, with Brazilian aviation authorities examining whether human error or other factors caused the tragedy. State deputy Claudio Caiado has proposed legislation in Rio de Janeiro’s Legislative Assembly calling for greater transparency and oversight of air operations. Meanwhile, questions remain about whether Tree’s unfinished world tour will be memorialized and what will become of any unreleased music he may have left behind.

For now, fans and peers remember Oliver Tree as a singular talent — an artist who turned eccentricity into art, humor into connection, and left an indelible mark on the internet age.