Oliver Tree’s ex-girlfriend has paid tribute to the singer, who she described as a “true artist” after he was among six people killed in a fiery helicopter crash in Brazil.
Melanie Martinez, who dated Oliver Tree for less than two years, said he had an “infectious and warm laugh” and such a “soft heart” as she paid tribute to him after his death aged 32 in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.
“Been an absolute wreck today,” Martinez, 31, wrote on her Instagram Stories.
“It’s really hard to understand how someone with whom you once shared such a specific and formative time in your life can suddenly be gone. He was so dedicated to his art, which I admired and respected so deeply.”
New York-based singer Martinez paid tribute to Tree’s creativity and joked about the stunts he would perform in the sky.
“I think everyone who knew him will look back on the moments of laughter and joy he so easily unleashed,” she wrote.
“His laugh was so infectious and warm.
“His ability to lead creatively and act while maintaining a sense of childlike wonder and awe was so inspiring. He had such a soft heart and was a true artist in every way.
“Rest in peace Oliver. I know you make the angels laugh. I’ll be here wondering what stunt and creative project you’re up to in heaven. All my love.”
The “Life Goes On” singer and Martinez confirmed their romance in September 2019 after chatting as friends — but they had deleted photos of each other in July 2020, Parade reported.
This prompted rumors of a split before she confirmed in May 2021 that the couple had split, but said they were still on good terms.
But in August 2023, Martinez urged his legion of fans to stop blaming Tree, who was born in Santa Cruz, California, with abuse amid reports that he was being harassed.
“Can you guys do me a favor and leave @olivertree alone…we ended things mutually years ago on good terms,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories at the time.
“Please, stop spreading false information. I already told you that we mutually ended things years ago and on good terms.
“I’ve said before how much it bothers me when you bully people on the internet. Please stay positive and be nice to each other.”
During a sit-down with YouTuber and comedian Anthony Padilla, The tree spoke of how the online hate had affected him.
He told Padilla he was bombarded with more hate after Martinez told fans to leave him alone.
Martinez released her “Moon Cycle” track in 2023, and fans speculated it was about her relationship with Tree — which she vehemently denied.
“Moon cycle is not about Oliver,” she said. “It’s not about anyone. This doesn’t even make sense, please stop making things up and leave him alone.”
“It’s been something that’s just brought me to a pretty serious place of depression,” Tree said.
“People don’t realize that what they say or do has an impact on people, they think it’s not heard or not noticed, but yes, it weakens people.”
Tree – known for his signature hairstyle, a bowl-cut mullet hybrid – was on board one of the five-person helicopters. Only the pilot was on board the other plane.
Argentinian influencer Gaspi – who has 7.5 million followers on social media – was on the same helicopter as Oliver Tree and was also killed.
Lucas Vignale, Lucas Brito Chaves and the pilot Alexandre Souza were killed.
Charles Marsillac – the sole pilot of the other helicopter – was described by friends as a “loving family man”. It was reported by CNN.
“The people who flew with him admired him for his seriousness and commitment,” a friend said of the father-of-three.
The two helicopters collided over an electric car lot and 20 vehicles were set on fire.
One of the helicopters was in flames and the person in the other jumped out before it smashed into the ground.
“It was terrifying, absolutely terrible,” said Fernandes de Freitas, a tire repairer.
Officials say the cause of the collision remains under investigation.
Singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha, Washington DC-born comedian Whitney Cummings and internet star Andy Milonakis have also paid tribute to Tree.
“RIP Oliver Tree. I don’t know how to process this, I’m glad I got to spend a lot of time with him last month but this is a shame,” Milonakis said.
“Life is fragile and unfair.”
“Oliver Tree is one of the most talented people on earth and that usually comes with an ego and all kinds of d-khead bullshit, but Oliver is pure love and the best version of what an artist and person can and should be,” Cummings wrote X.
Meanwhile Bebe Rexha described the singer as “passionate, talented and kind.”
The tree was inside South America as part of his “The World’s First World Tour”, which would span 30 countries and hit all seven continents.
He had performed in Sao Paulo on June 6 and was scheduled to perform in Lisbon, Portugal on July 1.
Tree was scheduled to perform in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and China before the end of the year.
The singer, who has more than 11 million listeners a month on Spotify, burst onto the music scene when he worked with Skrillex at the age of 17.
Tree released his independent album, “Splitting Branches,” in 2013 before stepping away from the stage to study music technology.
He returned to the scene in 2020 with his first studio album, “Ugly is Beautiful”, which featured his platinum hit “Life Goes on”.
In 2024, he was nominated for the International Song Brit Award alongside Robin Schulz for their hit song “Miss You”.
He went on to release “Cowboy Tears”, “Alone in a Crowd” and his April 2026 album, “Love You Madly Hate You Badly”.
Along with his music career, Tree broke the Guinness World Record for the largest kick scooter on earth in 2020, with the machine measuring more than 13 feet tall and 10 feet long.
With Post wires
