Death of a participant at Burning Man 2024 is being investigated

A participant died on the first day of the 2024 Burning Man Festival on Sunday in the Black Rock Desert in the state of Nevada, organizers and local authorities said.

Burning Man emergency responders responded to a report of an unconscious person at 11:29 a.m. in Black Rock City, the Burning Man Project said in a news release. Life-saving measures were “attempted but were unsuccessful,” officials said. Black Rock City is a temporary city built for the annual festival.

The Pershing County Sheriff's Office said it was notified by the festival at 11:37 a.m. Sunday of the “possible death” of a female attendee, and officials responded and confirmed the death of a female attendee.

The participant's name and age have not been released pending notification of next of kin. The death is under investigation pending autopsy results to determine the cause and manner of death.

“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends who have suffered this loss,” the Burning Man Project said at the event that support is available to festival attendees, including peer support services at Black Rock Rangers headquarters and outposts, and through the City of Black Rock Emergency Services Department's Crisis Support Team.

“The safety and well-being of our employees and the community is our top priority,” festival officials said. “We are fully cooperating with local authorities in the investigation of this incident. The Pershing County Sheriff's Office investigates all deaths that occur within its jurisdiction.”

This came after the festival gates were temporarily closed for about 12 hours early Saturday due to rain.

Last year, festival-goer Leon Reece, 32, of Truckee, California, died after being found unconscious on the festival grounds, authorities said. His death was believed to be due to drug poisoning, a medical examiner said in September.