Fatal Mid-Air Collision Claims Singer Oliver Tree and Five Others in Rio

On June 14, 2026 two Bell 206B JetRanger III helicopters collided over the Recreio dos Bandeirantes area of Rio de Janeiro at roughly 300 feet, igniting a fire at an electric-vehicle dealership and scorching about 20 cars. Six people died: singer Oliver Tree (32), YouTuber Gaspar “Gaspi” Prim, director-screenwriter Lucas Vignale (29), music producer Lucas Brito Chaves (21), and pilots Charles Marsillac and Alexandre Souza. The crash was confirmed by CNN Brazil and Rio de Janeiro’s Civil Police. The Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center is leading the inquiry.

Oliver Tree’s mother shares tribute following singer’s tragic death in Rio helicopter collision

Tree was on his “World’s First World Tour” for the album Love You Madly Hate You Badly, which began May 30 in Mexico City, completed four shows, and most recently played São Paulo on June 6. Sources list his next Lisbon date as July 1 or July 13. In an April 24 interview on The Zach Sang Show, he said his will would leave “no f---ing penny” to family, redirect his wealth to artists, and channel it through a foundation—“Dr. Oliver Tree’s Art Grants for Baby Geniuses”—run by a voting committee.

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Mother Christine Begin Nickell posted a Facebook tribute on June 18 with a childhood photo, writing, “Our dear son Oliver, you made this world a better place. We are so proud of you. RIP.” Girlfriend Fiona Chernavskaya posted on Instagram, saying she was mourning her partner and best friend, that “anything else is unimportant,” and urging respect. Ex-girlfriend Melanie Martinez shared Instagram Stories calling the loss “an absolute wreck today,” praising his dedication to art and his “contagious, warm” laugh. Fans offered condolences.

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Tree’s earlier “no-penny” interview resurfaced after the crash, prompting online speculation about his personal life. Chernavskaya asked for privacy, urging “please have some respect.”

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Sources differ on the Lisbon date—some list July 1, others July 13. Victim names also vary; one report mentions DJ Lucas Frota, another cites producer Lucas Brito Chaves. The crash cause remains under investigation.

Oliver Tree’s mother shares tribute following singer’s tragic death in Rio helicopter collision

“Our dear son Oliver, you made this world a better place. We are so proud of you. RIP.” — Christine Begin Nickell, Mother

Oliver Tree’s mother shares tribute following singer’s tragic death in Rio helicopter collision

“Right now im mourning my partner and best friend, anything else is unimportant. please have some respect,” — Fiona Chernavskaya, Girlfriend

New York Post

“ She continued, "He was so dedicated to his art which I admired and respected so deeply.” — Melanie Martinez, Ex-girlfriend

People Magazine

“I don't believe that any of the wealth or the things that get made from it [a career] is mine. So when I die — I've set it up — my will is set up that when I pass, my family, no one's going to get a penny.” — Oliver Tree, Zach Sang Show

Express Tribune

The Aeronautical Accidents Investigation and Prevention Center will issue a report after analyzing flight data and wreckage. Tree’s family has hired counsel to repatriate his remains to the United States. The art-grant foundation and postponed tour dates will be addressed once the estate is settled.

Express Tribune