Man Found Dead at Burning Man Festival, Police Investigating Homicide

The victim, described as a white adult male, was discovered Saturday night in Black Rock City, the temporary encampment built each year in the Black Rock Desert, about 110 miles north of Reno. Officials said he was lying in a pool of blood around 9 p.m., near the time the festival’s wooden “Man” effigy was set on fire.

A participant alerted police after finding the body. Deputies from the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office responded with support from Bureau of Land Management rangers and Burning Man’s own Black Rock rangers. The area was secured, and several nearby participants were interviewed. The man’s identity has not yet been released, and his body has been taken to the Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office.

In a statement, Burning Man organizers said they are fully cooperating with law enforcement and reminded participants not to interfere with the investigation. “The safety and well-being of our community are paramount,” the statement read. Organizers also noted that crisis support services are available on-site, including peer support from Black Rock Rangers and 24/7 crisis teams at emergency service stations.

The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office described the situation as a complex investigation, given that Black Rock City will be dismantled shortly after the event. They emphasized that while it appears to be an isolated crime, attendees should remain aware of their surroundings.

The annual festival attracts tens of thousands of people from around the world to the Nevada desert for a week of art, music, and community, highlighted by the burning of a massive wooden effigy.