Horrifying footage of mangled wreckage revealed the devastating aftermath of a helicopter crash that police said claimed the life of singer Oliver Tree in Brazil.
The Rio de Janeiro Military Fire Department said two helicopters struck each other June 14 before one struck an electric vehicle parking lot, killing all six people aboard, according to The Associated Press (AP). Among the list of those aboard was Tree, police said. Tree was a talented American singer and was in Rio de Janeiro as part of his world tour. The artist was just 32 years old.
TMZ also reported that there were no survivors of the crash. It is not yet clear what led to the fatal incident.
Initial reporting from the Fire Department revealed at least 20 vehicles in the parking lot were struck, and subsequently lit ablaze, according to CNN Brasil.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 10: Oliver Tree attends the iHeartRadio Z100 Jingle Ball 2021 Pre-Show on December 10, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for iHeartRadio )
Police confirmed that Tree was in his helicopter with four other people: passengers Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim, Lucas Brito Chaves and pilot Alexandre Souza, according to the outlet. Pilot Charles Marsillac was reportedly operating the second helicopter without any passengers on board.
The Civil Police said investigations have been launched into the incident, the outlet reported.
BREAKING: Six people were killed after two helicopters collided mid-air over Recreio dos Bandeirantes, southwest of Rio de Janeiro. pic.twitter.com/uFF2HHNHWq
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 14, 2026
Tree gained popularity in 2010 at the age of 17 and put out an independent album in 2013, according to Page Six. He released his first studio album, “Ugly Is Beautiful,” in 2020, with rave reviews. The album went Gold in the U.S. and the album’s hit single, “Life Goes On,” went platinum.
PARIS, FRANCE – NOVEMBER 01: Oliver Tree performs onstage during his ‘Alone in a Crowd’ Tour at L’Olympia on November 1, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Kristy Sparow/Getty Images)
Tree went on to release albums “Cowboy Tears” and “Alone in a Crowd.” His final album “Love You Madly Hate You Badly,” released in April this year.
He performed June 6 in São Paulo and was set to kick off the European leg of his tour July 1 in Lisbon, Portugal. (RELATED: Famed Pulitzer Prize-Winner Gordon Wood Dies In Tragic Collision)
The star’s last social media post was shared the day before his death.