First ever homicide at Burning Man - Vadim Kruglov, 37, reported missing at festival days after he was found murdered

[opt]

The perpetrator was unclear on the Burning Man principle "Leave No Trace". I hope the authorities find him or her or them.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/08/31/burning-man-death-investigation/85922594007/

 

[FoxxTraxx]

The perpetrator was unclear on the Burning Man principle "Leave No Trace". I hope the authorities find him or her or them.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/08/31/burning-man-death-investigation/85922594007/

The article notes that approximately 70,000 people attend the Burning Man event, which is in a remote desert area of Nevada. The festival ends on 9/1/25. LE said attendees should remain vigilant of their surroundings and acquaintances.

I wonder how this homicide will be investigated/? Everyone leaves the area in a day or two.

 

[opt]

It's 70k attendees, which I think includes staff. You can bet this will turn out to be the result of an argument between people who knew each other. That would be easy to solve after locating and interviewing a few people in the "camp" where the crime occurred. You meet your neighbors at Burning Man more that you would in your own neighborhood.

 

[FoxxTraxx]

Police seek info on suspected murder victim at 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,"

United Press Int'l News-9/1/25 LE Seeks to ID Burning Man Victim

So far the homicide victim's identity is unknown.

 

[vls12345]

Statement Regarding Pershing County Sheriff’s Office Investigation of Deceased Participant

Updated Wednesday, September 10, 2025 9:00pm PT Burning Man Project is committed to the safety of our community and to supporting those working to bring justice in this tragic case. Secret Witness has announced a $5,000 reward for information leading...

journal.burningman.org

 

[vls12345]

https://www.pershingcountynv.gov/Req%20for%20info%2025-318.pdf

 

[Auntie Cipation]

Police seek info on suspected murder victim at 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,"

United Press Int'l News-9/1/25 LE Seeks to ID Burning Man Victim

So far the homicide victim's identity is unknown.

I had read somewhere that the victim had a wife waiting in Reno -- that must have been unfounded speculation since LE says they don't know who he is.

With everyone just now heading home, which for some folks is a several-day drive, I suppose it might have to wait until family and friends notice who doesn't arrive home, before they figure out who he is.

I don't think it's common for people to travel to BM solo, though I'm sure some do. And if the perpetrator traveled with the victim, then he (and his circle, maybe of others who all traveled together) are not likely to speak up to identify him.

MOO

 

[sunflowermomma]

A lot of the burners I know don't have traditional jobs or housing arrangements - they often go on long roadtrips or pop between cities frequently. So hopefully this person is identified quickly and has someone missing him.

 

[vls12345]

Burning Man is crazier than usual with a murder mystery, ‘demonic’ claims and a surprise birth

A death, a birth, and a storm in this year's Burning Man festival. The celebration in the desert has a reputation for craziness but this year has been extra bizarre.

www.latimes.com

 

[ChatteringBirds]

It's unfortunate that with so many people around, no one has reported seeing or hearing anything (as far as we know).

Burning Man death investigated as homicide after body found in 'pool of blood'

A man was found dead on Aug. 30 in a suspected homicide at Burning Man, authorities said, as thousands prepared to culminate the event.

www.usatoday.com

A man found dead on Aug. 30 at Burning Man has prompted a homicide investigation...
The identity of the man is unknown, and no details on the possible cause of death have been released.

Statement Regarding Pershing County Sheriff’s Office Investigation of Deceased Participant

Updated Wednesday, September 10, 2025 9:00pm PT Burning Man Project is committed to the safety of our community and to supporting those working to bring justice in this tragic case. Secret Witness has announced a $5,000 reward for information leading...

journal.burningman.org

They are specifically looking for help to identify the decedent, a single white male, age 35-40, approximately 6 feet tall, 200 lbs, with short brown hair and facial hair.

 

[snooptroop88]

I know I've seen this festival before when searching on either a missing person or a Doe. Lemme look here and see if I can find the case. And as I'm looking, this isn't the first unfortunate incident associated with this festival/SF Chronicle, Aug 2024:

Authorities are investigating the death of a woman on the opening day of the 2024 Burning Man Festival in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. The event began on Sunday and the woman was found unresponsive at 11:29 a.m. the same day, organizers confirmed. Despite efforts by the festival’s emergency services, she could not be revived. Editing to update: This was natural causes per recent USA Today article already posted here.

Chronicle article notes other past incidents, including two accidental overdoses in two separate years and a death from natural causes. USA Today has a more current and extensive list.

The case I'd wondered about in connection with this was Wadsworth (Washoe County NV) Jane Doe, Sept 30 1990. Her skull and mandible were first discovered some distance along a dirt road, near state route 447. LE arrived and found other bones. Est PMI is months per one source, unknown per another. In that environment, I would imagine skeletonization could happen pretty rapidly. There are 55 ruleouts for her. 1990 was the first year they held the festival at this location, I believe. The prior years, it was held at a SF beach, and was intended for SF in 1990, too, but the SF authorities blocked the burning, so it moved to this other (and current) location in the desert. Wadsworth is located 70 to 80 miles south of the festival site in the desert, and it's among the last of the more populated places you'd pass through en route there. (And seeing you could get gas there.)

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

For those coming from Reno/Sparks area, Wadsworth is a very big deal because it's where you'd turn onto Nevada State Route 447, the main highway that leads to the festival site.
A source notes that organizers sometimes use towns like Wadsworth (and a nearby Indian reservation) as donation spots for unused supplies and such when the festival's over. Also, just checked and seeing that hitchhiking has continued to be an option for this festival, both to and from.

This poor man. I hope someone talks & they find out who he is. Also now wondering again on Wadsworth Doe.

 

[snooptroop88]

And just a little follow-up on that, Wadsworth itself is part of the Indian reservation in the area.

I have to admit it, I'm just kind of freaked out to see Burning Man showing up with a homicide. Large festivals can always draw them, however. I don't know what as of yet to make of a potential connection to this Doe.

But it sounds like LE's certain this current case is a homicide. And that does make me tend to go back to this Wadsworth case and wonder yet again. If hitchhiking is often part of the package with this festival (and it appears it may be, even now), answers may be slow coming. I hope not.

 

[mickey2942]

I don't know, but my own opinion is that "Burning Man" has become passe, and everything the originator rebelled against. He no longer has anything to do with the festival.

It is no longer fun to party in the desert, and wait hours in line to leave. The last few years have been plagued with torrential rain storms. Dust storms. The road to get there, NV-24, is crazy.

And right now, tow trucks to change tires, $500 or tow your car to Reno, are running about $3,500. If you can find one.

 

[Lucy6226]

Crikey I don't know how they will find the perp when the id of the victim is still unknown. 70k people in an area like that, feels like a huge task for LE

 

[FoxxTraxx]

Burning Man attendee Vadim Kruglov, 37, reported missing at festival — days after bloody murder victim found​

Could be homicide victim. Description is very close to police statement.

NY Post - Missing man at Burning Man is Russian Vadim Kruglov

 

[Chimera]

Thanks for starting this, @opt .

Knowing for certain who the victim's identity is and if he was traveling alone or with others could be helpful in apprehending the perp !
Will keep an eye on this case.

Homicides can happen anywhere but it's sad that at a festival of artistic expression and free will, someone maybe 'lost it' and did the unthinkable ?
Unless there was a mutual fight, and one person lost, who knows at this point.

However if someone came at another person in an obvious attack and the person who killed the other was defending themselves.... but then one would assume they'd have gone straight to the authorities.
There is a contingent of law enforcement there during the festival, correct ?

Rest in peace to the victim.

 

[FoxxTraxx]

Russian man identified as victim of Burning Man homicide through fingerprint analysis​

KRNV News Reno NV - Confirmed victim Vadim Kruglov

"The Pershing County Sheriff's Office would like to extend our sincerest condolences to Vadim Kruglov's family for their tragic loss,"

 

[Lusitana]

It looks like he was there with a group of friends. This is going to be a hard one to solve.

 

[Chimera]

It looks like he was there with a group of friends. This is going to be a hard one to solve.

Hmm.... Agreed.
Obv. none of them is going to 'talk'.
Hope LE can get justice for the victim.

Russian man identified as victim of Burning Man homicide through fingerprint analysis​

KRNV News Reno NV - Confirmed victim Vadim Kruglov

"The Pershing County Sheriff's Office would like to extend our sincerest condolences to Vadim Kruglov's family for their tragic loss,"

Rest in peace, Vadim !
My condolences to his loved ones.

What in the world happened ?
Also wondering the cause of death.
Anyone hear a scream, gunshot, etc. ?

Or have the 'friends' he was with destroyed/burned anything, or acted in an unusual way; and also are there cameras there for the B. Man festival.
Also maybe some of the attendees have cameras on their RV's, etc.
So any footage of ... anything ?

LE are going to have to track down and question the group he was with.
Imo.

 

[Lusitana]

Hmm.... Agreed.
Obv. none of them is going to 'talk'.
Hope LE can get justice for the victim.



Rest in peace, Vadim !
My condolences to his loved ones.

What in the world happened ?
Also wondering the cause of death.
Anyone hear a scream, gunshot, etc. ?

Or have the 'friends' he was with destroyed/burned anything, or acted in an unusual way; and also are there cameras there for the B. Man festival.
Also maybe some of the attendees have cameras on their RV's, etc.
So any footage of ... anything ?

LE are going to have to track down and question the group he was with.
Imo.

I think the friends were the ones who reported him missing.