Murder investigation underway after man found dead at Burning Man

The victim was found as the festival’s central structure burned.

Photo credit: Burning Man – Facebook

Authorities in Nevada have launched a murder investigation following the discovery of a man found dead at the Burning Man festival on Saturday night.

According to the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office, the body was discovered around 21:14 local time, after a festival-goer alerted an officer to a man “lying in a pool of blood” at a campsite. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene as the Man—the event’s central wooden structure—was being set alight.

The victim’s identity has not been released, and no arrests have been made. A portion of the site in the Black Rock Desert was cordoned off as police and forensics teams began their investigation. Sheriff Jerry Allen confirmed that “several participants in the immediate area” were interviewed.

The Burning Man Project stated it is cooperating fully with law enforcement and asked attendees not to interfere with the ongoing investigation. A significant police presence remains on-site.

More updates are expected as the investigation develops.