Burning Man attendee found dead ‘in pool of blood’ as police launch homicide investigation

A homicide investigation has been launched after a man was found dead in a pool of blood at the annual Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert, authorities have confirmed.

The art and music festival, which takes place in the Black Rock Desert area, about 110 miles north of Reno, US, attracts around 70,000 people every single year.

Authorities were alerted about the man on Saturday (30th August) at 9:14pm, and his body was taken to a medical examiner's office, as reported by AP News.

Pershing County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on Sunday that they 'found a single white adult male lying on the ground, obviously deceased' but the identity of the man was not immediately known.

The police have also outlined that it appears to be a singular crime, but still warned festival-goers to be vigilant of their surroundings.

Meanwhile, Burning Man officials said they are co-operating with law enforcement and in a statement added: “The safety and well-being of our community are paramount".

A man has been found dead at Burning Man festival in Nevada (Getty Stock Image)

Attendees have been asked not to interfere with their investigation but have been offered support services, including a crisis support team and free Wi-Fi If they need to communicate with loved ones.

Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen wrote in the release: "Although this act appears to be a singular crime, all participants should always be vigilant of their surroundings and acquaintances."

It continued: "There is no further information available at this time but it will be released as appropriate to provide for communication, while still preserving the integrity of the complicated investigation of a crime in a city which will be gone by the middle of the week."

For those unfamiliar with Burning Man, it's a week-long music and art festival and desert event focused on 'community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance,' rather than having a list of headliners.

It takes place at the same pop-up venue known as Black Rock City in the Nevada desert each year.

It's best known for the large wooden effigy of a man which is set on fire and bunt on the closing day of Labor Day weekend - this is supposed to represent creativity and rebirth.

Unfortunately, this death is not the first and several people have lost their lives at or near Burning Man since it moved to the Black Rock Desert in 1990.

The festival is known for having extreme and unpredictable weather (JULIE JAMMOT/Getty Images)

Last year, a woman named Kendra Frazer, 39, was found unresponsive on the first day of the festival with it later being reported that she died of an asthma attack in her sleep.

And in 2023, a man called Leon Reece was found unresponsive, with drug intoxication later suspected as his cause of death, reports USA Today.

Burning Man is also known for having unpredictable and extreme weather, and a warning on the event's website tells attendees to make sure they're prepared.

It reads: "Weather on the playa is often violent and unpredictable. Dust storms, high winds, freezing temperatures, rain, we get it all out there. It’s impossible to be overly prepared when it comes to the elements."

This year, videos have circulated social media highlighting the high levels of dust, including a storm that swept through the event.

LADbible Group has approached the Burning Man festival and the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office for comment.