A man found dead at this year’s Burning Man festival has been identified as 37-year-old Vadim Kruglov, a Russian national living in Tacoma.
Kruglov’s body was discovered in a pool of blood on Saturday, Aug. 30, near I Street in Black Rock City, Nevada, according to the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities identified him through fingerprints.
The Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office said the cause and manner of death remain under investigation. Officials confirmed the case is being treated as a homicide.
“The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our sincerest condolences to Vadim Kruglov’s family for their tragic loss,” Sheriff Jerry Allen said in a release. Kruglov’s family has been notified.
Authorities are asking anyone who may have seen Kruglov before his death to contact the sheriff’s office at 775-273-2641 or email jnicholson@pershingcountynv.gov.
Friends Seeking Answers
Friends of Kruglov have also turned to social media for help piecing together his final days at the festival.
“We sincerely ask for your help. It’s crucial for us to retrace Vadim’s last few days at Burning Man,” friend Sofiia Shcherbakova wrote. She said Kruglov was last seen on Friday, Aug. 29 at Mine Warrior, where he danced inside a pyramid structure, and may have appeared in videos from art cars or with people at nearby camps.
Shcherbakova added that Kruglov’s belongings were left behind at Burning Man. She urged festivalgoers to share any photos, videos, or memories that might show where he was or who he was with.
Burning Man’s Response
In a statement, Burning Man organizers said they are working closely with law enforcement to assist the investigation.
“This includes our intent for a coordinated donation to the Secret Witness program, which offers rewards for more information that contributes to law enforcement’s investigation,” the organization said. “Our hearts go out to Vadim’s family and friends and we grieve the loss of a community member.”
What Is Burning Man?
Burning Man is an annual late-summer gathering in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert that draws tens of thousands of participants from around the world.
Known for its temporary city — Black Rock City — the event is built around art installations, large-scale performances, music, and a culture of radical self-expression and community.
At the end of the weeklong festival, a giant wooden effigy — “the Man” — is burned, symbolizing renewal and impermanence.
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