The victim of a potential homicide at the Burning Man festival has been identified, authorities said on Wednesday.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which manages the Black Rock Desert in Nevada where the festival takes place, identified the man who died on Saturday as Vadim Kruglov of Russia.
The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) confirmed previously that a man’s body had been discovered “lying in a pool of blood” shortly after 9 p.m. on Saturday, as tens of thousands of people gathered for the ceremonial burning of the giant wooden effigy that gives the event its name.
Newsweek contacted the BLM and the PCSO for comment outside of regular working hours.
Why It Matters
The homicide investigation underscores the challenges of ensuring safety and law enforcement at one of the world’s most unconventional mass gatherings in a temporary city built to vanish within days.
It also highlights the tension between the festival’s ethos of community and self-reliance and the realities of crime, risk, and public safety in such an isolated environment.
With tens of thousands of attendees having now dispersed, vital witnesses or clues could be lost.
What To Know
The PCSO said that the Washoe Medical Examiner’s Office was able to identify Kruglov, 37, by his fingerprints.
It added that Kruglov was based in Washington state, and that his family had been notified of his death.
The PCSO said in a previous statement that a deputy had been flagged down by an festivalgoer on August 30 to a “male subject lying in a pool of blood.” Deputies and BLM Rangers responded immediately and found a “white adult male lying on the ground, obviously deceased.”
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Science Division was called in to assist the investigation and collect evidence. A number of festivalgoers were interviewed in the area surrounding the scene, the PCSO said.
“Although this act appears to be a singular crime, all participants should be vigilant of their surrounding and acquaintances,” the PCSO said.
Sheriff Jerry Allen said in a statement: “We are also currently seeking information regarding any suspect identifiers for any person who would commit such a heinous crime against another human being. At this time, no information is too small to disregard, so do not hesitate to contact my office.”
What People Are Saying
The PCSO said in a statement: “Our sincerest condolences from the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office go out to Vadim Kruglov’s family for their tragic loss.”
The Burning Man Project said in a statement on August 31: “The safety and well-being of our community are paramount…Burning Man is cooperating with law enforcement. The investigation is ongoing, and the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office will be the primary source of further information. If you are in Black Rock City, do not interfere with law enforcement activity.”
Steve and Naomi Gershik from California, who attended this year’s festival, previously told Newsweek: “We were at Burning Man when this happened. No one heard about this death until it came out in the news yesterday. It’s very sad, and yes, there are incidents in a city of +70k inhabitants. We endured extreme weather conditions this year, but the magic and community feeling was prevalent there throughout the week. It’s the simple joy and delight of being there, despite the obstacles, that makes Burning Man so worthwhile.”
What Happens Next
The police department is still conducting its homicide investigation and is searching for any information that could lead to an arrest of a suspect.
Anyone with information is urged to contact investigator Josh Nicholson at (775) 273-2641 or [email protected].
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