LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A man was discovered deceased, lying in a pool of blood at the Burning Man festival on Saturday, leading local authorities to open a homicide investigation, as reported by the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office.
On Aug. 30, just before 9:15 p.m., during the commencement of the festival’s renowned effigy burn, a PCSO deputy was approached by an attendee who reported spotting a man in a pool of blood.
Upon response by PCSO deputies and Bureau of Land Management rangers, the man was found on the ground, “obviously deceased,” stated a press release from PCSO.
The death is being treated as a homicide, with interviews conducted with various festival goers in the vicinity. The area of Black Rock City—a temporary establishment in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert set up for the festival—where the deceased was found, is under significant law enforcement scrutiny as the investigation is ongoing, according to PCSO.
The homicide appears to be an isolated incident, but all festival goers were urged to be vigilant of their surroundings and acquaintances, PCSO said.
The identity of the man has not been released.
Anyone with information concerning this homicide is advised to contact Investigator Josh Nicholson via PCSO dispatch at 775-273-2641, citing case #25-318.
The organizers of Burning Man released the following statement Sunday:
“The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office is looking into the death of a single white adult male that took place on Saturday night, August 30 in Black Rock City. Burning Man is cooperating with law enforcement. The investigation continues, with the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office as the main source for further updates. If present in Black Rock City, refrain from interfering with law enforcement proceedings.
The safety and well-being of our community are paramount. Participants have access to free public WiFi at the 3 and 9 o’clock plazas, Playa Info (near Center Camp), Ranger HQ (Esplanade & 6:30), at the Emergency Services Department station at 5:15 & Esplanade, and in Center Camp should they need to communicate with loved ones.
If you’re in Black Rock City and need support, there are resources available to you:
- Black Rock Rangers are available to provide peer support services 24/7 at Ranger HQ (Esplanade & 6:30) and Outposts (behind the 3:00 and 9:00 Plazas).
- Black Rock City’s Emergency Services Department’s Crisis Support team are available 24/7 at the ESD stations located at 5:15 & Esplanade and behind the 3:00 and 9:00 Plazas.“
Burning Man is set to run through Sept. 1. The event was expected to draw tens of thousands of people to the dry lakebed in northern Nevada, where they “build a fully functional city where they live and work for a week, then make it disappear without a trace,” according to Burning Man’s website.
