Local Nevada police seek information regarding the identity of a homicide victim and the circumstances leading to his death during the final night of the annual Burning Man Festival Saturday in the Black Rock Desert. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI. | License Photo
Local police seek information related to the suspected murder of a middle-aged white male found on Saturday night at the site of the annual Burning Man Festival.
The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office described the deceased man as about 6 feet tall with short brown hair, facial hair, and between 35 and 40 years old and seeks help in identifying him.
“We also are seeking information regarding any suspect identifiers for any person who would commit such a heinous crime against another human being,” Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen said in a news release on Monday.
The alleged homicide occurred between the intersection of the 8 and 8:45 o’clock area and I Street at the Burning Man Festival in Black Rock City, which is a temporary settlement in the Black Rock Desert area in northwest Nevada and about 90 miles north of Reno.
“No information is too small to disregard,” Allen said, “so do not hesitate to contact my office.”
People can contact the sheriff’s office by calling 775-273-2641 or 775-273-5111, referencing case number 25-318 and asking for investigator Josh Nicholson.
The man’s body was found at 9:14 p.m. PDT on Saturday as the festival’s annual burning of a man effigy was beginning, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
A festival participant waved to a sheriff’s deputy to report the man lying in a bloody pool and deceased.
Forensic investigators with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office helped process the scene as police interviewed nearby festival participants.
The festival drew about 70,000 participants, who were readying to leave after the burning of the man effigy.
Officials with the Burning Man Project said they are cooperating with law enforcement.
“The safety and well-being of our community are paramount,” event organizers said, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
The annual festival got underway on Aug. 24, but storms and other events delayed its scheduled events during the week.
