The body of musician Oliver Tree, who died in a car crash in southern France last week, has been returned to the United States, a spokesperson for his family confirmed on Monday. British forensic investigators have been deployed to assist French authorities in determining the cause of the accident, amid conflicting reports about the circumstances of the collision.
Tree, 31, whose real name was Oliver Tree Nickell, was travelling as a passenger in a rented vehicle on the A9 motorway near Montpellier when the driver reportedly lost control. The car struck a barrier and overturned. Two other occupants sustained non-life-threatening injuries and remain hospitalised in France.
The repatriation of Tree’s body was completed under diplomatic arrangements between the US and France. A private funeral is expected in Los Angeles later this week.
British involvement follows a request from France’s National Police for assistance from the UK’s National Crime Agency. Sources at the Foreign Office confirmed that two officers from the NCA’s specialist crash investigation unit have been seconded to the French inquiry. The move is unusual in non-terrorist cases but reflects concerns over the vehicle’s maintenance history and the driver’s prior convictions.
A French judicial source said investigators are focusing on whether the car had undergone recent modifications that may have compromised safety. The driver, a French national, has been placed under formal investigation on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter.
Tree, known for his eccentric persona and hits including “Hurt” and “Life Goes On,” had been touring Europe. His last performance was in Barcelona three days before the crash. Tributes have poured in from fans and fellow musicians, with a vigil held outside his childhood home in Santa Cruz, California.
The NCA has declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. A statement from Tree’s family urged the public to respect their privacy during the grieving process.
The case highlights the complexities of cross-border accident investigations, particularly where celebrity status and public interest intersect with legal procedures. French authorities are expected to release a preliminary report in the coming weeks.
