Body discovered at yearly Burning Man event in Nevada, according to sheriff's department statement.
In the heart of the Black Rock Desert, the annual Burning Man gathering has taken a tragic turn. On Saturday, authorities were alerted to a grim discovery in the makeshift encampment known as Black Rock City.
Deputies and Bureau of Land Management rangers responded to the scene and found the body of a white adult male. The identity of the deceased is not immediately known, and the death is being investigated as a homicide.
Burning Man officials are cooperating with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation, urging participants not to interfere with the investigation. The safety and well-being of the Burning Man community is a priority, according to Burning Man officials.
The Pershing County Sheriff's Office urges festival-goers to be vigilant of their surroundings and acquaintances. Support services, including a crisis support team, are available for festival participants.
The Burning Man festival, which attracts tens of thousands of artists, musicians, and activists each year, features wilderness camping, avant-garde performances, and the burning of a large wooden effigy of a man. The gathering is scheduled to end on Monday.
As the investigation continues, authorities are interviewing participants and cordoning off a perimeter in the area where the body was found. No other information has been released by the Pershing County Sheriff's Office.
Burning Man officials ask participants to respect the ongoing investigation and to allow law enforcement to do their work. They remind everyone that the festival is a place for art, community, and self-expression, and they encourage participants to continue to enjoy the event while being mindful of the seriousness of the situation.
The investigation into the death at Burning Man is ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
