How Did Singer Oliver Tree Die in a Helicopter Crash That Killed 6 in Rio de Janeiro?

Quick answer: Singer Oliver Tree, 32, was among six people killed when two helicopters collided in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday 14 June 2026. Rio's Civil Police confirmed the crash, which was also reported by CNN Brazil, PEOPLE and the Associated Press. The cause is under investigation.

Key facts

• What: Mid-air collision between two helicopters
• Where: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• When: Sunday 14 June 2026
• Reported toll: 6 killed (no survivors)
• Status: Investigation ongoing at the 42nd Police Precinct; aviation accident report awaited

What happened

Two helicopters collided over Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. Five people were in one helicopter, and the pilot of the other aircraft was the sixth fatality. The Associated Press reported that there were no survivors.

One of the helicopters came down in the parking lot of a car dealership and caught fire, according to Rio's Military Fire Department.

Oliver Tree, the electro indie-pop singer and songwriter, died in the crash at the age of 32. CNN Brazil named the other victims: passengers Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim and Lucas Brito Chaves, and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.

The Civil Police of the State of Rio de Janeiro confirmed the crash in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. Forensic teams examined the scene, and the six bodies are undergoing forensic identification, with records cross-checked against the Air Operations Center's registry. The investigation is being handled by the 42nd Police Precinct, and authorities are awaiting the technical report from the Center for Investigation of Aeronautical Accidents.

Who was Oliver Tree?

Tree was a genre-bending singer, songwriter, producer and filmmaker with 11.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify. His 2020 debut LP Ugly is Beautiful included the tracks "Life Goes On", "Alien Boy" and "Miss You"; he later released Cowboy Tears and Alone In A Crowd, and his most recent LP, Love You Madly Hate You Badly, was released in April.

He was in the middle of a world tour at the time of the crash. He had performed in Sao Paulo on 6 June, with his next date scheduled for 1 July in Lisbon, and the tour was due to run through late October across Europe, the US, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and China.

What happens next

The 42nd Police Precinct's investigation continues, alongside the forensic identification process. The report from the Center for Investigation of Aeronautical Accidents will establish the circumstances of the collision; the cause has not yet been officially determined.

Frequently asked questions

How many people died in the Rio de Janeiro helicopter crash?

Six. Five people were in one helicopter, and the pilot of the other aircraft was the sixth fatality. The Associated Press reported that there were no survivors.

Who else died in the crash besides Oliver Tree?

CNN Brazil named passengers Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim and Lucas Brito Chaves, and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.

What caused the crash?

The cause has not been officially confirmed. The investigation is ongoing at the 42nd Police Precinct, and authorities are awaiting the report from the Center for Investigation of Aeronautical Accidents.

Where exactly did the crash happen?

In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. According to Rio's Military Fire Department, one of the helicopters came down in the parking lot of a car dealership, where it caught fire.

When did Oliver Tree die?

On Sunday 14 June 2026, during a world tour. He had performed in Sao Paulo on 6 June, and his next scheduled date was 1 July in Lisbon.