Oliver Tree Estate Launches Artist Grant Foundation

Foundation Details Emerge From Will

The family of Oliver Tree posted a statement to his official Instagram account this week confirming that his body has been returned to his native California. The statement also revealed details of his final wishes regarding his estate, announcing the forthcoming launch of "Dr. Oliver Tree's Extremely Epic Grant For Baby Geniuses."

The endowment was written directly into his will and is designed to distribute his wealth to other creators. The grant will require recipients to physically hire personnel or rent equipment to produce art and prohibit artists from using the funds to pay for schooling or permanently purchase equipment. A preselected committee is expected to convene annually to vote on how the money is distributed, though that infrastructure has yet to be formally confirmed or instated.

Prescient Interview Weeks Before Crash

The 32-year-old singer-songwriter, born Oliver Tree Nickell, coincidentally detailed his estate plans weeks prior to the fatal accident during an appearance on the Zach Sang Show. In the interview, he explained his belief that he did not truly own his wealth or the art generated from it. He stated that his family would inherit virtually none of his fortune, instead directing that his accumulated wealth be channeled directly back into the creative community through a strict set of guidelines.

In the same interview, he anticipated that his art would generate residual value and accrue greater worth following his passing. Concluding his thoughts on the matter, he offered an eerie reflection on fame and mortality.

Crash Claimed Six Lives

Nickell was one of six individuals killed on June 14 when two helicopters collided over Brazil. According to the Military Fire Department of Rio de Janeiro, one of the aircraft crashed into a car dealership and ignited several parked electric vehicles before first responders extinguished the resulting blaze. Authorities identified the other victims as passengers Lucas Vignale, Gaspar Prim and Lucas Brito Chaves, along with pilots Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac.

The family's statement confirmed that the foundation will move forward as planned. "This is something that Oliver had put together before his passing, written in his will. We will make sure his wish comes to fruition so that more joy, love and art can be spread into the world, that was his final wish."