Oliver Tree, the American alternative musician known for songs such as “Life Goes On,” “Miss You,” and “Alien Boy,” has died at the age of 32 following a fatal helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The incident took place on June 14 over Recreio dos Bandeirantes, a western suburb of the city, when two helicopters collided mid-air before crashing into the parking area of an electric vehicle dealership. The impact caused a large fire that spread rapidly, burning through approximately 20 cars before firefighters brought it under control.
Authorities confirmed that all six people aboard both helicopters died in the crash. One aircraft was carrying five passengers, while the second had only its pilot. Emergency responders said the intensity of the fire made immediate identification of the victims extremely difficult.
Brazilian officials have opened an investigation into the cause of the collision, with early reports focusing on flight conditions, communication issues, and possible mechanical failure. The crash site has been sealed off as investigators work to recover flight data and reconstruct the final moments before impact.
Tree was in Brazil as part of a major international tour scheduled to span more than 70 shows across 30 countries and seven continents. A police source told AFP that his name appeared on the passenger manifest of one of the helicopters involved in the accident.
In the hours before the crash, Tree had shared moments from his time in Brazil on social media. He had performed in Buenos Aires, Argentina on June 4, and posted a video just a day before the incident showing him playing football in a local Brazilian neighborhood.
News of his death has shocked fans across the world, particularly given the scale of his ongoing tour and his active presence online. Known for blending music with a highly stylized internet persona, Tree built a global audience of more than 11 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
His music has accumulated hundreds of millions of streams, with tracks like “Life Goes On” and “Miss You” standing out as fan favorites that helped define his career in alternative pop and electronic music spaces.
Beyond music, Tree became widely recognized for his eccentric creative identity, including viral stunts and unconventional performances that often blurred the line between art and internet culture. In 2020, he also set a Guinness World Record for the largest kick scooter, a project he described as fulfilling a lifelong personal ambition.
Tributes from fans and figures in the music industry have begun to circulate online, as listeners reflect on his impact on modern alternative music and his unique place in digital-era entertainment.
