Burning Man organizers have broken their silence after three festival-goers died during this year’s event in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.
The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the third fatality occurred while the victim was being transported to a hospital in Reno, though no additional details about the person’s identity or circumstances have been released. Jerry Allen, the county sheriff and coroner, said that the death toll for this year’s festival has now reached three within a single week.
“Although we average 1 death a year at the Festival, we have had two so far this year within the confines of the Festival and I have received information regarding a third who died in transit to a hospital in Reno,” Allen said.
The first death, on August 30, triggered a homicide investigation after a deputy was flagged down by an event participant who reported finding a male subject lying in a pool of blood. Allen’s office has since sought public assistance in identifying the victim and any potential suspects.
“The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office is requesting any information regarding a homicide which occurred on August 30 between 8 p.m. And 9:30 p.m. In the area between 8 o’clock and I St. And 845 and I St. In Black Rock City, at the Burning Man Festival,” Allen said in his statement.
He continued: “We are specifically looking to identify the white male adult decedent, who is between the ages of 35 and 40, approximately 6′ and 200# [pounds] with short brown hair and facial hair.”
Allen added: “We are also currently seeking information regarding any suspect identifiers for any person who would commit such a heinous crime against another human being.”
The second confirmed death came on September 3, when Sampson Tshombe, a man in his mid-50s, suffered a medical emergency at the festival. Burning Man Project confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that lifesaving measures were administered immediately and the man was transported to an onsite emergency care center, where he was pronounced deceased.
A third death followed on September 5, when Craigh Mann, 60, was found dead by his campmates in his trailer at approximately 3 PM. The organizers issued a separate statement addressing this loss.
“Burning Man Project is saddened to share that a second Black Rock City participant, Craigh Mann, a 60 year-old man, was found deceased by campmates in his camp on Saturday, September 5, at approximately 3 PM,” the organization wrote.
The statement continued: “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the participant’s family, friends, campmates, and all those affected by this loss. The safety and well-being of our community and staff remain our highest priority.”
The organizers had previously addressed Tshombe’s death with similar language. “It is with heavy hearts that Burning Man Project confirms a Black Rock City participant in his mid-50s experienced a medical emergency, immediately received lifesaving measures, and was transported to the onsite center for emergency care where he was pronounced deceased,” they wrote. “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the participant’s family, friends, and those affected by this loss.”
Allen urged anyone with information to come forward regardless of how minor it might seem. “At this time, no information is too small to disregard, so do not hesitate to contact my Office,” he said.
Deaths at the annual counterculture gathering are not unprecedented, with the source material noting this marks the third consecutive year that at least one fatality has occurred during the event. The concentration of three deaths within roughly a week, however, prompted the typically reticent organizers to issue multiple public statements.
The homicide investigation into the August 30 death remains active, with authorities working to establish both a suspect and a precise timeline of events. No arrests had been announced at the time of the organizers’ statements.