Brazil: Rick, of Duo Rick & Renner, Dies in Helicopter Crash

His death was confirmed on Tuesday, September 22, after rescue teams located the wreckage of the aircraft in the Serra Catarinense region.

According to the Santa Catarina Military Fire Department, all five people on board the helicopter died and no survivors were found.

In addition to Rick, businessman Bruno Avelar, videomaker Paulo Soares, the pilot and co-pilot were on board.

The helicopter, a Bell 430 registered as PP-MGR, had departed from Porto Belo, on the coast of Santa Catarina, bound for São Joaquim when contact was lost during the flight.

The wreckage was found in a forested and difficult-to-access area following an operation involving dozens of firefighters, search dogs, vehicles, drones equipped with thermal cameras and resources from the Brazilian Air Force.

Rescue teams later began recovering the bodies, which will undergo identification and forensic procedures.

The circumstances and cause of the crash will be investigated by Brazilian aviation authorities.

Rick, whose full name was Geraldo António de Carvalho, built a career spanning several decades alongside Renner and became widely known in Brazil through romantic sertanejo hits such as “Ela é Demais”, “Cara de Pau” and “Filha”.

Confirmation of his death brought to an end the search operation launched after the aircraft disappeared and prompted expressions of grief across Brazil’s music industry.