Oliver Tree reflected on life's uncertainty in poignant interview before fatal helicopter crash

Late musician Oliver Tree shared moving reflections on the fragility of life in one of his final interviews, saying that "no day" is ever promised just weeks before he died in a helicopter crash in Brazil.

The singer-songwriter, whose real name was Oliver Tree Nickell, appeared on The Really Good Podcast with Bobbi Althoff in an episode released on June 29, 2026. During the conversation, he spoke candidly about family, travel and the importance of making the most of every moment.

"As I get older, I realise how important [family] is," Tree said. "My parents, they're like, 'Oliver, it's a lot to travel all the time.' And I was like, 'Guys, look, we don't know if I'll be alive next year or you'll be alive, like there's no day promised.'"

The 32-year-old went on to describe his adventurous lifestyle, telling Althoff that he often found himself in dangerous situations while travelling.

"Do you know how high risk I live my life? Actually, for real," he said, explaining that he had spent the previous two years living in remote communities across Africa and Iraq and was planning future trips to Turkmenistan, Iraq and Syria. Despite the risks, Tree said the experiences had strengthened his faith in people.

"I never trusted humanity more. I never felt more love to humans. I never felt more connected," he said.

Tree died on June 14, 2026, when the helicopter he was travelling in crashed in Brazil, killing all six people on board. Authorities in Rio de Janeiro confirmed that an investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing.

One week after his death, Tree's team announced plans to honour one of his final wishes by establishing Dr. Oliver Tree's Extremely Epic Grant For Baby Geniuses, a foundation outlined in his will that aims to support creativity, joy and artistic expression.

In a statement shared on his official Instagram account, his team said the foundation would ensure that "more joy, love and art can be spread into the world", describing it as the musician's final wish.

Tree's final interview has since taken on added significance, with fans describing his comments about living fully and cherishing loved ones as a poignant reminder of his outlook on life.