The mystery surrounding a man found dead in a pool of blood at Burning Man deepened after police asked attendants to help identify the victim.
The unidentified body of a male was discovered at around 9.15pm on Saturday, during the festival’s climax, as the wooden ‘Man’ effigy began to burn in the northwestern Nevada desert, police said.
Detectives are looking into the death as a homicide, as festivalgoers continue gathering in the makeshift encampment called Black Rock City.
Police have now asked the 70,000 festival attendants for help in the probe, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
The victim is believed to be a white male between the ages of 35 and 40, approximately 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, with short brown hair and facial hair, according to Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen.
‘We are specifically looking to identify the white male adult decedent,’ Allen said.
‘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.’
Those with relevant information were asked to contact the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office at 775-273-2641 or 775-273-5111, and reference case #25-318.
The man’s body was found ‘in a pool of blood’ by a festival attendant who flagged down police.
Deputies along with rangers from the Bureau of Land Management responded and ‘found a single white adult male lying on the ground, obviously deceased.’
The investigation has included interviews with several participants and officials cordoned off a perimeter in the area where the body was found.
Police said they believe the murder was a ‘singular crime,’ but they urged festivalgoers to remain vigilant.
‘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,’ Allen said.
Burning Man officials said in a statement that they are cooperating with law enforcement and asked participants in Black Rock City to not interfere with their investigation.
‘The safety and well-being of our community are paramount,’ the statement said. It noted that support services, including a crisis support team, were available and participants had access to free Wi-Fi If they need to communicate with loved ones.
The annual gathering in the Black Rock Desert attracts tens of thousands of artists, musicians and activists each year for a mix of wilderness camping and avant-garde performances, highlighted by the burning of a large wooden effigy of a man.
The death comes as more than two dozen people were transported to the hospital since the festival began on August 24, reported the Reno Gazette Journal.
Of the 31 people taken to a hospital, 11 were transported by air and 20 by ground, Royal Ambulance, according to the medical provider for Black Rock City. Three were resuscitated on the playa with cardiac arrests.