RIO DE JANEIRO (NEXSTAR) — Tragedy struck on Sunday morning as two helicopters collided over Rio de Janeiro, resulting in the loss of six lives, including that of American singer and comedian Oliver Tree.
The collision occurred in the western part of the city, leading both helicopters to crash, according to local firefighters.
The Rio de Janeiro Military Fire Department reported that one helicopter plummeted into a car dealership, sparking a blaze among several parked electric vehicles. Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames quickly.
Authorities shared that Oliver Tree, a well-known American celebrity, was listed among the passengers provided to aviation officials. However, they have yet to confirm the identities of the victims involved in the crash.
Local reports from CNN Brazil and Metrópoles confirmed the tragic news of Tree’s death. The confirmation came from the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro, who identified the 32-year-old as one of the victims.
Two pilots and three other passengers were killed, authorities said. CNN Brazil and Metróples identified the victims as pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac, music producer Lucas Brito Chaves Frota, director Lucas Vignale, and YouTuber Gaspar Prim (also known as Gaspi).
Tree, who was born Oliver Tree Nickell in Santa Cruz, California, rose to fame in the 2010s thanks to Vine, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He released four studio albums, including “Love you Madly, Hate you Badly” in April. Tree had also worked with Skrillex and Zeds Dead, Page Six notes.
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Oliver Tree performs on the second weekend of the Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Park on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP) -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 06: Oliver Tree attends the “Paradise Records” premiere during the 2025 Tribeca Festival at Village East Cinema on June 06, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by John Nacion/WireImage)
Tree was tagged in an Instagram post with a translated caption of “American for the 1st time in Brazil,” in which he can be seen wearing a Brazil soccer jersey. Iae Break, the content creator who posted the video, shared a post to his Instagram story on Sunday with five crying emojis.
Officials said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the collision.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.