Oliver Tree's ex Melanie Martinez remembers 'true artist' after deadly helicopter crash

Shania RussellMon, June 15, 2026 at 2:38 PM UTC

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Oliver Tree; Melanie MartinezCredit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty; D Dipasupil/FilmMagicKey Points -

Singer Oliver Tree was among the six people who died after two helicopters collided mid-air on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro.

The eccentric "Life Goes On" singer was 32.

In a touching tribute his ex girlfriend, The Voice alum Melanie Martinez, paid tribute to Tree.

Melanie Martinez is sharing her grief with fans following the death of her exboyfriend, singer Oliver Tree, was killed in a helicopter crash.

The late musician, whose full name was Oliver Tree Nickell, died at 32 on Sunday when two helicopters collided in Brazil. Hours after confirmation that Tree was among the six people killed in the fatal incident, Martinez penned a raw message addressing the loss.

"Been an absolute wreck today," she began the Instagram Stories post. "It's really hard to understand how someone who you once shared such a specific and formative time of your life with can all of a sudden be gone."

Martinez, 31, who began dating Tree in 2019 and split the following year, continued, "He was so dedicated to his art which I admired and respected so deeply. I think everyone who knew him will look back at those moments of laughter and joy he so easily sparked."

Oliver Tree in 2025Credit: John Nacion/WireImage

She reminisced about his "contagious and warm" laughter, then praised his "ability to lead creatively and take action while also maintaining a sense of childlike wonder and awe."

Martinez added, "He had such a soft heart and was a true artist in every way."

She concluded with a message directed at the late singer, writing, "Rest in peace Oliver. I know you're making the angels giggle. I'll be here wondering what stunt and creative project you're scheming up in heaven."

Melanie Martinez's tribute to Oliver TreeCredit: Melanie Martinez/Instagram

Tree died on Sunday after two helicopters collided mid-air in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, a coastal area in the Southwest zone of Rio de Janeiro on Sunday. There were no survivors. The crash resulted in even more damage when the falling copters landed on an electric vehicle yard, causing at least 20 cars to catch fire, per CNN Brazil.

The investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the aircraft crash.

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The other victims include passengers Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim (also known as Argentinian YouTuber Gaspi), Lucas Brito Chaves, and pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.

Entertainment Weekly has reached out to representatives for Tree for comment.

The eccentric musician rose to fame thanks to his success on Vine and YouTube, which led to a record deal and a string of singles that garnered him an even larger fan base. "Life Goes On," "Miss You" with Robin Schulz, "Cash Machine," Alien Boy," and "Jerk" were among his most notable songs.

Tree often performed as his alter ego, Turbo, a clumsy, scooter-loving daredevil known for his signature bowl cut haircut, oversized JNCO jeans, and vibrant windbreaker jackets.

Oliver Tree performing at Coachella in 2026Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Known for her own onstage eccentricities, Martinez often performs as a doll-like surrealist alter ego, "Cry Baby." She rose to fame as a contestant on season 3 of The Voice and found success with her highly stylized concept albums, releasing such hit singles as "Play Date" and "Dollhouse."

The former couple went public with their relationship in 2019. Fans later discovered their breakup in mid-2020, when Martinez unfollowed Tree on Instagram and both singers deleted photos of the other from their respective profiles. Amid the breakup speculation, Martinez confirmed their split in 2021. Two years later, she directly demanded that fans stop sending hate to Tree, stating that their split was mutual and they remain on "good terms."

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"Please be nice, and stop spreading false information," she wrote. "I already told you guys we ended things mutually years ago and on good terms. I've said before how much it upsets me when you guys bully people on the internet. please stay positive and be kind toward one another."

Tree was on a world tour at the time of his death and last performed in São Paulo on June 6. Per his website, he was next set to play in Lisbon, Portugal, on July 1 with tour dates to follow in Spain, Austria, the United States, and China.

on Entertainment Weekly

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