Singer Oliver Tree tragically lost his life in a helicopter accident in Brazil on Sunday, June 14th. He was just 32 years old.
Reports indicate that Tree was one of six individuals who died in the crash. He was aboard a helicopter with four other passengers when it collided mid-air with another helicopter that had one person on board.
The crash occurred above an electric vehicle yard, igniting flames in at least 20 cars below.
The other victims have been identified as passengers Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim (also known as Argentine YouTuber Gaspi), Lucas Brito Chavez, along with pilots Alexandre Sousa and Charles Marsillac.
Continue reading to learn more about the late artist.
He Had a Successful Music Career
Tree, a Santa Cruz, California native, gained fame at the young age of 17 back in 2010. He collaborated with well-known names like Skrillex and Zeds Dead under the alias “Tree.”
After releasing an independent album in 2013, he stepped back from music for a few years to dive into research in music technology.
He made a comeback in 2020 with his debut studio album, *Ugly is Beautiful*, featuring the platinum hit “Life Goes On.” This was followed by other albums including *Cowboy Tears*, *Alone in a Crowd*, and *Love You Madly Hate You Badly*, released in April 2026.
At the time of his passing, he was visiting Brazil as part of a world tour dubbed “The World’s First World Tour.” He had just performed in São Paulo on June 6th and was set to start his tour in Lisbon on July 13th.
Throughout his career, he collaborated with various celebrities, many of whom expressed their sorrow and paid tribute to him after his untimely death.
Singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha shared her shock on social media: “I was signing CDs in New York when I heard the news about Oliver Tree. I couldn’t believe it. He was so smart, passionate, talented, and kind. Such a loss. May he rest in peace.”
Comedian Whitney Cummings added, “Oliver Tree was one of the most talented people I know. He embodied love and kindness, which is rare in this industry. We’ve lost a giant.”
He Was Dating Melanie Martinez
Tree had a brief relationship with singer Melanie Martinez from 2019 to 2020. Although their romance was short-lived, they seemed to maintain a friendship afterward.
In 2024, Tree talked about how their breakup affected him, recounting how he felt depressed due to the backlash from Martinez’s fans. He recalled, “When we broke up, her fans came after me… She urged them to leave me alone.”
Martinez honored Tree on her Instagram Story after news of his death emerged, expressing her deep sadness and reflecting on their shared moments. She noted, “He was dedicated to his art, which I truly admired. His laughter was contagious and warm. Rest in peace, Oliver. I know you’re making the angels laugh.”
He Briefly Researched Polyamory
Years after parting ways with Martinez, Tree mentioned exploring polyamory in a conversation with influencer Logan Paul. He described having dated multiple partners, saying, “I’ve just been exploring it,” although he stated he could see himself being monogamous for the right person.
He explained that his artist lifestyle made it challenging to maintain a conventional relationship, saying, “It’s hard to have a girlfriend when you don’t live anywhere.”
Most of His Money Goes Back to Artists
In one of his final interviews, Tree revealed his intention to donate his wealth to aspiring artists after his death. “I feel that the wealth generated from my music is mine,” he shared on *The Zach Sang Show* in April.
He specified that his family would not inherit anything from him, stating, “My agreement is that if I pass, my family won’t receive a dime… The goal is to ensure that when I die, all my money supports upcoming artists.” He set up a foundation called Dr. Oliver Tree’s Art Grant for Baby Genius to facilitate this plan.
