Oliver Tree — born Oliver Tree Nickell in Santa Cruz, California, in 1993 — was killed Sunday when the helicopter he was riding in collided with another aircraft over Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian authorities said. Six people died in the crash.
The collision occurred over the city on Sunday, according to officials. One of the helicopters fell onto the parking lot of a car dealership, igniting about 20 vehicles. Footage published by Brazilian media showed one helicopter dropping from the sky, and flames and thick smoke rising from the crash site.
The Military Fire Department of the State of Rio de Janeiro said it was called to the crash site around 09:00 local time (12:00 GMT). Authorities said an investigation into the cause of the collision is underway.
The manifest for Tree’s helicopter listed Argentine content creator Gaspar Prim Diaz — also known as Gaspi — along with Lucas Brito Chaves, Lucas Vignale, and pilot Alexandre Souza, according to the Associated Press. The second aircraft’s manifest listed only the pilot, Charles Marsillac.
Tree first rose to fame in 2016 after going viral on social media. With his distinctive bowl haircut, he was known for hits including “Life Goes On,” “Miss You” and “Alien Boy.” He was nominated for a Brit Award in 2024 alongside German producer Robin Schulz for his song “Miss You.” In 2020, he broke the Guinness world record for building the largest kick scooter, measuring 4.16 meters tall and 3.13 meters long.
Tree had just begun a world tour, with his most recent show in São Paulo on June 6. He was next scheduled to perform July 1 in Lisbon, Portugal, and had been due to play dates in Glasgow, Manchester and London in September.
YouTuber and Britain’s Got Talent judge KSI, who collaborated with Tree on the 2023 track “Voices,” posted an emotional tribute on X.
“Can’t believe I’m actually having to type this. You’re 32 man. You should still be here. You still had so much life to live. So much music to make. So much content to make,” KSI wrote. “You’re a legend and will always be a legend. Still doesn’t feel real. Genuinely feel sick. I love you bro.”
Jackass star Steve-O, whose real name is Stephen Glover, also paid tribute, sharing a photograph of the two of them together.
“I was incredibly lucky to become friends with Oliver Tree,” Steve-O wrote. “He would check in on me regularly, and let me know he cared about how I was doing. Such a great person… I’m going to miss him.”