Melanie Martinez calls Oliver Tree a 'true artist' after Brazil crash

Melanie Martinez paid tribute to Oliver Tree, calling him a "true artist" after he was among six people killed in a fiery helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro. The 31-year-old wrote on her Instagram Stories that she had "been an absolute wreck today," and remembered his "contagious and warm laugh" and "soft heart," adding that she deeply admired his dedication to his art.

The pair confirmed their romance in September 2019 after chatting as friends, though they had removed photos of each other by July 2020; Martinez said in May 2021 that they had broken up but remained on good terms. In August 2023 she asked fans to stop harassing Tree, writing, "Can you guys do me a favor and leave @olivertree alone… we ended things mutually years ago and on good terms." Tree had spoken about how online hate affected him, saying it had brought him "to a pretty severe place of depression." Six people were killed when two helicopters collided over an electric car lot, setting about 20 vehicles ablaze.

Brazil, Rio de Janeiro

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