Melanie Martinez Leads Tributes to Oliver Tree After Brazil Helicopter Crash Kills the Singer

Melanie Martinez has paid an emotional tribute to her ex-boyfriend Oliver Tree after the singer was killed in a fiery helicopter crash in Brazil that left six people dead. In an Instagram Stories post, Martinez described Tree as a “true artist” with a “contagious and warm laugh” and a “soft heart,” saying she was heartbroken by the sudden loss of someone she once shared an important period of her life with. She said Tree’s dedication to his art deeply inspired and impressed her, and added that she hoped he was “making the angels giggle” in heaven.

Martinez and Tree publicly confirmed their relationship in September 2019 after initially being friends, but they later split and said the breakup was mutual and on good terms. In 2023, Martinez asked fans to stop harassing Tree online and urged them to leave him alone. Tree later spoke about the effects of online hate in an interview, saying the abuse affected his mental health and contributed to depression.

Tree, known for his distinctive bowl-cut mullet hairstyle and genre-blending style, was traveling in South America as part of his “The World’s First World Tour.” He had performed in Sao Paulo on June 6 and was scheduled for future shows in Lisbon and other international cities. He had built a loyal following with more than 11 million monthly Spotify listeners and was widely known for his hit “Life Goes On.” He first gained attention as a teenager working with Skrillex, later releasing independent music before returning to prominence with his 2020 album “Ugly Is Beautiful.”

The crash occurred over an electric car lot in Brazil when two helicopters collided, sparking a major fire that set 20 vehicles ablaze. Tree was aboard one helicopter carrying five people, while the second aircraft had only the pilot onboard. Among those killed were Argentine influencer Gaspi, Lucas Vignale, Lucas Brito Chaves, and pilot Alexandre Souza. The pilot of the second helicopter, Charles Marsillac, was described by friends as a devoted family man. Authorities said the cause of the collision remains under investigation.

Tributes to Tree also came from other entertainers including Bebe Rexha, Whitney Cummings, and Andy Milonakis, who remembered him as talented, kind, and deeply loved. His death has prompted widespread grief from fans and fellow artists alike, as they reflect on his creativity, humor, and unusually original presence in music and online culture.