A man was found dead at the Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert on Saturday, August 30, 2024. The discovery was made around 9:14 p.m. local time, as the festival’s iconic “Man” effigy began to burn.
Authorities from the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) responded to the scene at Black Rock City, where they found the adult male lying in a pool of blood. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ongoing Investigation
The identity of the deceased has not yet been released, and his body has been taken to the Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination.
A homicide investigation is underway, with deputies and Bureau of Land Management rangers at the scene. The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Science Division is also assisting with the investigation.
Sheriff Jerry Allen stated that while the incident appears to be an isolated crime, attendees of the festival should remain vigilant of their surroundings.
Further details will be released as the investigation progresses, but authorities emphasized the complexity of the case due to the transient nature of the festival, which will conclude in a few days.
Festival’s Response
In response to the tragedy, Burning Man released a statement emphasizing that the safety and well-being of its community are of utmost importance. They also reminded attendees of available support resources on the festival grounds, including public Wi-Fi to stay in contact with loved ones.
The festival noted that the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for investigating all deaths within its jurisdiction.
Previous Incident
This is not the first death at the event; in 2023, a woman was found unresponsive and later died despite emergency efforts to revive her. Burning Man expressed condolences to her family and friends at the time.
