Tragic Death of Oliver Tree at 32: Influential Musician Dies in Helicopter Crash

On Sunday, June 24, Oliver Tree tragically died following a helicopter collision that happened mid-air over the coastal neighborhood of Recreio dos Bandeirantes, according to a report from celebrity.land Brasil. He was 32 years old.

Tree wasn’t just a musician. He was a genre-defying influencer in the music world. He’s a self-taught, multi-instrumentalist who blended alternative rock, punk, hip-hop and electronic music to create a sound that’s all his own. He also stood out because of his videos and online presence. Tree wrote, produced and directed his own visuals, which often went viral.

“Known for his distinctive bowl haircut and cartoonish wide-leg pants, Nickell was an esteemed collaborator in the electronic dance music space, working with Subtronics, Whethan, What So Not, Robin Schulz and other prominent DJs,” EDM.com notes of his legacy. “His debut album, 2020’s Ugly is Beautiful, topped a pair of Billboard charts and was certified Gold by the RIAA.”

Tree was touring in Brazil at the time of his death. His last performance was in São Paulo on June 6, and he was slated to start the European leg of the tour in Lisbon, Portugal, on July 13.

Other travelers on the helicopter, according to local officials, included Nickell as Lucas Vignale, Lucas Brito Chaves and Gaspar Prim, a YouTuber known as Gaspi. The pilots of the two aircraft, Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac, also died.

“Tree, synonymous with his bowl cut and vibrant ’80s fashion, spent his early career producing dubstep and performing in the San Francisco Bay Area under the artist name ‘Tree,'” Variety adds. “He debuted his first EP, ‘Demons,’ in 2013 under R&S Records.”

The Hollywood Reporter added, “Throughout his career, he’s utilized several different characters and performance eras, as well as used a mix of internet trolling and meme marketing to promote his music.”

The staff at Men’s Journal offers up our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Tree.

This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on Jun 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.