Melanie Martinez Honors Ex Oliver Tree After Helicopter Tragedy in Brazil

The music world is reeling after learning that singer Oliver Tree, 32, died in a helicopter collision in southwest Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, June 14. Among those paying tribute is Melanie Martinez, his ex-girlfriend and fellow artist, who took to Instagram to share an emotional reflection on their time together and what his loss means to those who knew him.

Martinez, 31, didn’t hold back in her tribute.“Been an absolute wreck today,”she wrote via Instagram Story, capturing the disorientation that comes with losing someone from your past—someone who shaped a formative chapter of your life. The two dated for nearly a year beginning in 2019, a period that clearly left a mark on her. But her words weren’t just about grief; they were about recognizing something she deeply admired in Tree: his unwavering dedication to his craft.“He was so dedicated to his art, which I admired and respected so deeply,”she noted, underscoring what made him stand out not just as a musician but as a creative force.

What emerges from Martinez’s message is a portrait of an artist who inspired those around him. She highlighted Tree’s infectious energy—his“contagious and warm”laugh, his“childlike wonder and awe”—qualities that extended beyond the studio. In a creative industry often defined by ego and self-promotion, Tree seemed to embody something rarer: a“soft heart”paired with a visionary’s drive. Martinez wrote that she’ll cherish the moments of“laughter and joy he so easily sparked,”a reminder that his impact went beyond the songs he made.

Tree, known for hits like“Life Goes On”and“Miss You,”had amassed over 3 million Instagram followers and was in the midst of a world tour when tragedy struck. He’d performed in São Paulo on June 6 and was scheduled to play Lisbon, Portugal, on July 13. His final Instagram post, shared on Saturday, June 14, showed him enjoying a brief Brazilian getaway—playing soccer, getting a haircut, cooking meat—a glimpse of the person behind the artist that now takes on a poignant resonance.

Since news of the crash broke, the tributes have poured in from across the music world. Bebe Rexha, who recorded with Tree for her album dirty blonde, expressed her shock and grief, while comedian Whitney Cummings described him as one of the most talented people on earth—but crucially, without the“ego and all kinds of dickhead nonsense”that often comes with that territory.“There’s no silver lining,”Cummings wrote.“We lost a giant.”

For Melanie Martinez and countless others who crossed paths with Oliver Tree, the loss serves as a reminder of how quickly someone can be gone, and how the specific moments we share with people—even if they’re brief—shape us in ways we don’t always fully recognize until it’s too late.“I’ll be here wondering what stunt and creative product you’re scheming up in heaven,”Martinez wrote, a beautiful closing that honors both his artistic vision and the void his absence now leaves behind.