Cult musician Oliver Tree presumed dead after chopper crash

American musician Oliver Tree, 32, is among six individuals presumed dead following a helicopter collision over Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The incident occurred Sunday morning when two helicopters crashed in the city's western area, resulting in no survivors.

Tree, celebrated for his viral hits like 'When I'm Down' and 'Life Goes On,' was in Brazil as part of his current world tour. His schedule included upcoming performances in Australia in October, with planned shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.

Official manifests identified the victims, including Tree, Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim Díaz (Gaspi), independent filmmaker Lucas Vignale, Brazilian DJ and producer Lucas Brito Chaves, and helicopter pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac. One helicopter carried five passengers, while the other had only the pilot.

Rio de Janeiro's Military Fire Department reported that one of the aircraft plummeted into a car dealership's yard, igniting at least 20 electric vehicles. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the mid-air collision, and formal identification of the victims' bodies is pending.

Oliver Tree Nickell, born in Santa Cruz, California, in 1993, was known for his unique blend of satire, performance art, and pop music. His career included early music releases under the pseudonym 'Tree,' a record deal with Atlantic Records in 2017, and the release of his debut album 'Ugly Is Beautiful' in 2020. He also held a Guinness World Record for the largest kick scooter. His recent album, 'Love You Madly, Hate You Badly,' released in April, preceded the world tour encompassing 70 shows across 30 countries.