Pershing County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Death at Burning Man Festival

The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that it is investigating the death of one person at the Burning Man festival this weekend. The death occurred during a severe bout of rain that swept through parts of northwestern Nevada on Friday and Saturday, but not because of it. The family of the deceased has been notified of the death and the active investigation.

The Burning Man Project, the nonprofit that organizes the annual event, said Sunday that the situation at the venue in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert was under control and far from alarming. The estimated 70,000-plus attendees were isolated at the venue known as Black Rock City as rain returned Sunday and closed roads, muddy campgrounds, and one reported death darkened the day.

The CEO of the Burning Man Project expressed surprise at the attention the death has received. “We’re very pleased and surprised that there has been such a fuss over us,” they said.

The sheriff’s office declined to share additional information about the death or the investigation. The news release issued Saturday noted that the office “is currently investigating a death which occurred during this rain event.”

The Burning Man Project is working with the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the death and ensure the safety of all attendees. The festival is expected to conclude on August 31.