A midair collision over Rio de Janeiro on Sunday morning claimed six lives, among them Argentine social media personality Gaspi and American singer Oliver Tree. The crash involved two helicopters and has sent shockwaves through the online creator community and music world alike.
Gaspi, whose real name was Gaspar Prim, was just 23 years old. The Argentinian YouTuber had built a massive following through comedy content and viral videos that racked up tens of millions of views. He was aboard one of the two aircraft along with Oliver Tree, passengers Lucas Brito Chaves and Lucas Vignale, and pilot Alexandre Souza. The second helicopter, piloted by Charles Marsillac—described as an experienced and highly respected aviator—was also caught in the collision. All six people aboard both aircraft perished.
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. Fire officials told CNN Brazil that evidence is spread across hundreds of meters and that video footage and flight data will be critical in reconstructing what happened that morning. Investigators are still piecing together the sequence of events that led to the tragedy.
What makes this particular loss hit differently is the sheer reach both Gaspi and Oliver Tree had cultivated. Gaspi wasn’t just a creator with a big following—he was one of Argentina’s most recognizable online personalities, someone whose work had defined a generation of internet culture in the region. The sudden loss of creators and artists at their peak, captured so brutally in a single moment, reminds us of the fragility of life, regardless of fame or platform.
The investigation continues, but for now, the focus is on remembering six people whose lives ended far too soon.
About the Author
Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
