The music world is mourning the loss of Oliver Tree, who died at age 32 on June 14, 2026, in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As tributes pour in from fans and fellow artists, his past relationship with singer Melanie Martinez has come back into focus. The pair dated from 2019 to 2020, and their split became a public ordeal fueled by fan speculation and online harassment.
From Friends to Lovers: How Oliver Tree and Melanie Martinez Started Dating
Oliver Tree and Melanie Martinez first met during an interview for Alternative Press magazine in 2019. Tree was the guest editor and interviewed Martinez. Their connection was immediate, filled with jokes and easy conversation.
By September 2019, the two confirmed they were dating. Both artists shared photos from their joint interview and posts together on social media. Fans of the indie music scene were excited about the pairing. The couple kept most of their relationship private, but their occasional public appearances kept fans interested.
The Breakup: What Really Happened Between Oliver Tree and Melanie Martinez
The relationship did not last long. By mid-2020, signs of trouble appeared. In July 2020, Martinez unfollowed Tree on Instagram. Both artists deleted all their photos together from their profiles. Fans immediately started guessing what went wrong.
In May 2021, Martinez finally addressed the situation. She confirmed on her Instagram Story that she and Tree had broken up. She assured fans the split was mutual and that they remained on good terms. But that did not stop the rumors.
“I had dated another artist and when we broke up, her fans came after me. She had asked them, ‘Hey guys, please let Oliver be. We’re on good terms,’” Tree later explained in a video. He added that when Martinez released her album, fans speculated it was about him and she had to address it herself.
How Fan Harassment Made the Breakup Worse
The breakup took a dark turn because of how fans reacted. Even though Martinez asked her followers to leave Tree alone, the harassment got worse. Tree opened up about the situation on Logan Paul’s podcast in 2022 and in other interviews.
He said he became depressed because fans would not let the situation go. He received rude messages and death threats. Martinez tried multiple times to stop the bullying.
In August 2023, Martinez posted another statement on her Instagram Story.
“Can you guys do me a favor and leave @olivertree alone… we ended things mutually years ago and on good terms. Please be nice, and stop spreading false information. I’ve said before how much it upsets me when you guys bully people on the internet. please stay positive and be kind toward one another.”
Despite her efforts, the damage was already done. Tree admitted that the constant harassment pushed him into a severe depressive state.
The ‘PORTALS’ Album and ‘EVIL’ Song Speculation
In 2023, Martinez released her album “PORTALS.” One of the tracks, “EVIL,” was widely reported by fans to be about Tree. Martinez addressed the song in an interview, saying it was about a mental turning point where she was finally able to deal with her previous relationship.
“I wanted the lyrics to be the most savage and the most c****. Every time I wrote something I was like ‘no, it’s not mean enough,’” she said.
But she also made it clear on TikTok and other platforms that the entire album was not about him. Fans continued to connect the dots anyway, keeping the speculation alive for years after the actual breakup.
Oliver Tree’s Life After the Split
After his split from Martinez, Tree spoke openly about his approach to relationships. In his 2022 appearance on Logan Paul’s podcast, he said he had been exploring polyamory.
“I’ve basically been exploring polyamory. I have a bunch of girlfriends,” Tree said. He explained that his life on the road made settling down hard. “I literally am on the road. I haven’t lived anywhere for six months… It’s hard for me to have, like a girlfriend when I don’t live anywhere.”
Still, he left the door open for something more committed. “For the right person, I could be monogamous. I was always monogamous my whole life,” he added.
Melanie Martinez’s Emotional Tribute After Oliver Tree’s Death
Following news of Tree’s death on June 14, 2026, Martinez took to her Instagram Stories to share an emotional tribute. She said she had been an “absolute wreck” since hearing the news.
“It’s really hard to understand how someone who you once shared such a specific and formative time of your life with can all of a sudden be gone,” Martinez wrote. “He was so dedicated to his art which I admired and respected so deeply.”
She remembered his personality and talent fondly.
“His laugh was so contagious and warm. His ability to lead creatively and take action while also maintaining a sense of childlike wonder and awe was so inspiring. He had such a soft heart and was a true artist in every way.”
She ended her tribute with a final goodbye.
“Rest in peace Oliver. I know you’re making the angels giggle. I’ll be here wondering what stunt and creative project you’re scheming up in heaven. All my love.”
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Other Celebrities Pay Tribute to Oliver Tree
Many other artists also shared their grief online. Kid Cudi wrote on X:
“Fuck man. Spoke to Oliver a few weeks ago. This is heartbreaking. A really amazing and beautiful human. This shit sucks bad. Sending all my prayers and love to the families dealing with losses. Oliver we love you, forever.”
Bebe Rexha, T-Pain, and several other musicians also posted tributes, remembering Tree as a genuine, creative, and talented friend.
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