Brazilian Singer Rick Sollo and Four Others Die in Helicopter Crash, Sparks Outpouring of Mourning
Rick Sollo, member of the musical duo Rick e Renner, died alongside four others in a helicopter crash in Santa Catarina, prompting widespread mourning.
- • Rick Sollo and four others died in a helicopter crash in Santa Catarina on September 21, 2026.
- • The helicopter lost communication en route from Porto Belo to São Joaquim and was found the next day.
- • Victims included Rick Sollo, businessman Bruno Avelar, videomaker Paulo Soares, pilot Antônio Roberto Nóbrega, and co-pilot Leopoldo Barros.
- • Rick had recently highlighted his commitment to health and was approaching his 60th birthday.
- • Artists and friends, including Kaká Diniz and Ana Castela, mourned the tragic loss publicly.
Key details
On September 21, 2026, Brazilian singer Rick Sollo, known for being one half of the musical duo Rick e Renner, tragically died in a helicopter crash in the Serra Catarinense region of Santa Catarina. The helicopter lost communication during a flight from Porto Belo to São Joaquim and was located the following day by search teams including firefighters and the Brazilian Air Force.
The crash resulted in the deaths of all five occupants aboard the helicopter: Rick Sollo; businessman Bruno Avelar, aged 41, known for his entrepreneurial activities and social media influence; videomaker Paulo Soares; pilot Antônio Roberto Nóbrega de Araújo; and co-pilot Leopoldo Barros Teixeira.
Rick Sollo had shared a video days before the accident where he highlighted his dedication to a healthy lifestyle, practicing three hours of physical activities daily including walking, running, and weight training, as he approached his 60th birthday. He was married for over 40 years to Geralda Helena and is survived by two children and four grandchildren.
The news of Rick's death has triggered mourning among fans and fellow artists. Among the tributes, Kaká Diniz, a close friend of Bruno Avelar, expressed deep grief on social media describing Bruno as a brother and urging people to express their feelings while they can. Several other artists, including Ana Castela and Daniel, publicly lamented the losses and celebrated Rick's legacy in Brazilian music.
The rescue operation involved around 40 firefighters, search dogs, and drones equipped with thermal imaging to locate the crashed aircraft in the mountainous area. Authorities have not yet revealed detailed circumstances surrounding the cause of the crash.
This tragic event marks a significant loss for the Brazilian music and business communities, as Rick Sollo was widely respected for his artistic contributions and Bruno Avelar was a prominent figure in the entrepreneurial and networking circles.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (3)
Source comparison
Date of helicopter crash confirmation
Sources report different dates for the confirmation of Rick's death after the helicopter crash.
odia.ig.com.br
"the incident confirmed on September 22, 2026"
f5.folha.uol.com.br
"the aircraft he was traveling in was located in Serra Catarinense on Tuesday, October 22."
Why this matters: One source states that Rick's death was confirmed on September 22, 2026, while another claims it was confirmed on October 22, 2026. This discrepancy affects the timeline of events surrounding the incident.