Oliver Tree, the eccentric American musician recognized for his viral stunts and alt-pop tracks, died in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro on June 14. He was 32.

Representatives for Tree confirmed the news, directing The Associated Press to an official statement posted on Tree's Instagram account. The caption announced, "Rest in peace Oliver Tree Nickell June 29, 1993 — June 14, 2026. Your legacy will live on forever."

According to the Instagram post, Tree's legacy will continue through a foundation named "Dr. Oliver Tree’s Extremely Epic Grant For Baby Geniuses," an initiative he established before his death as part of his will to spread joy, love, and art.

Firefighters reported that six people died when two helicopters collided and crashed in the city's western zone on the morning of June 14. Police confirmed that Tree was among the passengers.

At the time of his death, Tree was on a world tour that began in Mexico City on May 30 and was slated to visit all seven continents. He was born Oliver Tree Nickell on June 29, 1993, in California.

Known for his distinctive style, including bright 1980s fashion and a bowl cut, Tree cultivated an image of myth-making, telling interviewers he began piano lessons at age three and had written an album by six. He launched his recording career in the 2010s, often creating characters and using memes in conjunction with his music.

His early work included the 2013 electronic EP "Demons" released under the name "Tree." He gained broader recognition with a feature on DJ Whethan's 2016 single "When I’m Down." That same year, he signed with Atlantic Records and began releasing music as Oliver Tree.

In 2018, he released the EP "Alien Boy," featuring the double music video "All That x Alien Boy," which has garnered over 52 million views on YouTube. The single "Alien Boy" achieved platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), becoming his first. Other platinum-certified songs include "Hurt" (2018), "Life Goes On" (2021), and "Miss You" (2022) with Robin Schulz.

Tree's music blended alternative rock, hip-hop, and electro-pop with a comedic sensibility. His visual presentations often mirrored this, such as the 2018 music video for "Movement," where he appeared to bathe in Flaming Hot Cheetos. His 2020 debut album, "Ugly Is Beautiful," was released shortly after he set a Guinness World Record for the world's largest kick scooter.

Subsequent albums included "Cowboy Tears" (2022), a country-themed release, and "Alone in the Crowd" (2023), which explored the narrative of a character named Cornelius Cummings. His most recent album, "Love You Madly Hate You Badly," was entirely self-produced and released in 2026.

Tree maintained a significant online presence, with millions of followers across platforms like TikTok (22.6 million), YouTube (8.6 million), and Instagram (5 million), largely due to his humorous antics and catchy songs.

Following the news of his death, fellow artists and friends shared tributes. Rapper Kid Cudi described Tree as "a really amazing and beautiful human," while singer Melanie Martínez remembered his dedication to art and the joy he easily sparked. Bebe Rexha expressed shock, calling him "smart. Passionate. Talented. Kind."