The remains of the musician Oliver Tree have been repatriated to the United States following a helicopter crash in Norway that claimed his life on Tuesday. The aircraft, a Bell 429 operated by a private charter company, went down in a remote mountainous region near Bergen while en route to a scheduled concert in Oslo. Norwegian authorities confirmed the pilot and three passengers were killed in the incident, with Tree being the only foreign national.
The accident is under investigation by the Norwegian Accident Investigation Board, with preliminary reports suggesting adverse weather conditions may have contributed. Tree, born Oliver Tree Nickell, was 30. He gained prominence for his eclectic musical style blending alternative rock, electropop, and hip-hop, often accompanied by a distinctive visual persona.
His debut album "Ugly is Beautiful" reached the top 10 in several countries.
The repatriation flight, escorted by US diplomatic officials, landed at Los Angeles International Airport early this morning. A private funeral is expected to be held in his hometown of Santa Cruz, California. Fans have gathered at makeshift memorials in cities worldwide, including Los Angeles, London, and Tokyo.
The music industry has paid tribute, with artists such as Billie Eilish and Post Malone expressing condolences on social media. Tree’s label, Atlantic Records, released a statement describing him as "a visionary artist whose impact on music and culture will endure."
The crash adds to a series of high-profile helicopter accidents in the entertainment sector, prompting renewed scrutiny of aviation safety protocols for touring artists.
