A murder investigation has been launched after a man was found dead at the notorious Burning Man festival over the Labor Day weekend, marking yet another tragic incident this week.
The body was discovered around 9:15 p.m. PDT on Saturday, with Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen confirming that officers, along with Bureau of Land Management rangers, were immediately dispatched to the scene.
“Pershing County Sheriff Office deputies and the Bureau of Land Management immediately responded to the campsite and found a single white adult male lying on the ground, obviously deceased,” said Allen, who has previously expressed concerns about the dangers of the event. The news comes as as a British tourist, 31, was found dead on popular beach.
Forensic experts from the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Science Division were called in to examine the scene as a cordon was established.
The identity of the victim remains unknown, and his body was transported to the Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office, according to Mirror US reports. While police believe the death to be an isolated incident, they have urged festival attendees to remain vigilant.
A portion of the vast temporary settlement continues to be under police control. “There is no further information available at this time,” stated Allen.
“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.”
The organisers of Burning Man have issued a brief statement supporting the ongoing investigation. “The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a single white adult male that occurred the night of Saturday, August 30 in Black Rock City,” the statement read.
“Burning Man is cooperating with law enforcement. If you are in Black Rock City, do not interfere with law enforcement activity.”
This incident has ignited renewed online calls for the festival to be permanently cancelled. “They just need to get rid of Burning Man because every year someone dies,” one user posted.
Another wrote, “This venue needs to be shut down permanently.”
Experienced Burner, Johnny Diggz, told The Mirror US, “I’ve never heard of anyone getting murdered before. Accidents happen every year, overdoses, and medical emergencies. I’ll definitely be interested to see what the investigation uncovers.”
This fatality comes as emergency medical teams reported 31 people have been hospitalised since the festival began on Aug. 24, including three individuals resuscitated after cardiac arrests.
In the midst of the chaos, one woman gave birth in an RV bathroom. Kayla Thompson, 37, thought she had food poisoning, but minutes later delivered a 3-pound, 9-ounce girl.
Due to the waterlogged terrain, medics transported the newborn by SUV to a medical tent, and later by helicopter to Reno. The mother followed hours later by ambulance.
“She’s safe and sound,” said the baby’s father, Kasey Thompson. “I’m so thrilled.”
