Authorities are investigating a death at the Burning Man festival in Nevada as a homicide after a man was discovered in a “pool of blood” Saturday night as the giant wooden effigy was set ablaze.
The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were alerted just before 9:15 p.m.
A festivalgoer flagged down law enforcement and reported a man lying on the ground.
The body was discovered at the desert encampment known as Black Rock City.
Deputies and Bureau of Land Management rangers immediately responded and “found a single white adult male lying on the ground, obviously deceased,” the sheriff’s office said Sunday.
The man’s identity has not yet been released.
However, the Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office has taken custody of the body.
Investigators quickly secured the area, interviewing nearby participants and creating a perimeter around the campsite.
Authorities described the case as “complicated” due to the difficulty of preserving a crime scene in a temporary city that “will be gone by the middle of the week.”
The sheriff’s office urged participants to remain alert:
“It appears to be a singular crime but [we] urge everyone at the festival to be vigilant of their surroundings and acquaintances.”
The sheriff’s office is specifically looking for anyone who heard or saw anything from 8 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday in a specific area of the festival grounds.
To aid in the search, Allen released a diagram of exactly where the body was found.
Not only is the sheriff looking for information regarding the victim, but also the suspect.
“We are also currently seeking information regarding any suspect identifiers for any person who would commit such a heinous crime against another human being,” Allen said.
“At this time, no information is too small to disregard, so do not hesitate to contact my office.”
The office is requesting that any information regarding the homicide be relayed to Investigator Josh Nicholson through our Dispatch at 775-273-2641 with the reference case #25-318.
Burning Man organizers released a statement saying they are cooperating with law enforcement and asking attendees not to interfere with the investigation.
The festival, held annually in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, about 110 miles north of Reno.
It combines wilderness camping with large-scale art installations and performances.
The event attracts tens of thousands of participants each year.
The event is best known for its symbolic finale, the burning of a massive wooden effigy.
This year’s celebration concludes on Monday.
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