Oliver Tree Identified After Rio Helicopter Collision

Overview

• Two helicopters collided over Recreio dos Bandeirantes on Sunday, June 14, producing a crash, explosion and fire that killed six people and left a wide debris field.
• Police confirmed Oliver Tree’s identity after comparing dental radiographs sent from the United States to heavily burned remains, allowing steps toward repatriation to begin.
• The 42ª DP (Recreio) and Brazil’s aviation investigator Cenipa have opened active inquiries, have requested flight plans from Jacarepaguá tower and are analyzing recordings and wreckage for human or technical failures.
• Authorities have identified the five other victims as Lucas Brito, Charles Marsillac, Alexandre Souza, Gaspar Prim and Lucas Vignale, and one helicopter’s crash in a dealership lot destroyed about 20 electric cars.
• Family and close partners have issued public statements asking for privacy while the case proceeds, and attention has turned to Tree’s recently stated plans for a foundation to fund emerging artists.