Oliver Tree’s body returns to California after Rio helicopter crash

The body of singer-songwriter Oliver Tree has been returned to California, a week after he was listed as a passenger in a deadly helicopter collision above Rio de Janeiro.

“Oliver is now back in California where he can finally rest,” a post on his Instagram account said Sunday afternoon. The statement thanked fans for the “constant love, support and positivity” shown to Tree’s family, friends and collaborators during “these extremely difficult times.”

Tree, whose real name was Oliver Tree Nickell, died at 32. He was born in Santa Cruz, California, and had been performing in South America as part of a world tour. NBC News reported that he had a show scheduled for June 6 in São Paulo, according to a schedule on his Facebook page. The BBC reported that his most recent show was in São Paulo on June 6 and that he was next scheduled to perform in Lisbon on July 1, with additional dates planned in Glasgow, Manchester and London in September.

Details of the crash remained under investigation. NBC News, citing The Associated Press, reported that two helicopters collided on June 14 and that all six people on board were killed. The BBC reported that Tree and six others died when the helicopter collided with another helicopter over Rio de Janeiro. According to the AP, police identified the other victims as Gaspar Prim Díaz, a popular Argentine YouTuber known as Gaspi; Argentine Lucas Vignale; and Brazilians Lucas Brito, Charles Marsillac and Alexandre Souza. The AP reported last week that authorities were investigating the possibility of human error by a pilot or air traffic controllers.

Tree’s father, Jesse Nickell, told NBC News last week that he learned of his son’s death from a producer who had been working on music with him in Brazil. “Peace be with Oliver,” he said by text.

Tree first rose to fame in 2016 after going viral on social media, the BBC reported. He became recognizable for his bright fashion, distinctive haircut, thin mustache and offbeat public persona. A motto on his Instagram account read: “No matter how strange you think you look, no matter how ugly you feel, you are beautiful.”

His best-known songs included “Life Goes On,” which peaked at No. 71 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2022, and “Miss You,” a collaboration with German musician Robin Schulz that reached No. 84 the same year. He was also known for “Alien Boy.”

The Instagram statement said Tree’s family would move forward with a charitable project he had planned before his death. The foundation will be named “Dr. Oliver Tree’s Extremely Epic Grant For Baby Geniuses.”

“This is something that Oliver had put together before his passing, written in his will,” the post said, according to the BBC. “We will make sure his wish comes to fruition so that more joy, love and art can be spread into the world, that was his final wish.”

Tree discussed the grant during an April appearance on the “Zack Sang Show” on YouTube, NBC News reported. He also reflected on how artists are remembered after death. “That’s when people appreciate you, when you’re not there anymore,” he said.

The Instagram post ended with a message to supporters: “Your legacy will live on forever.”