Pershing County Sheriff’s Office announces that 37-year-old Vadim Kruglov, a Russian native, was person found “lying in a pool of blood” at Nevada festival
Burning Man Festival, 2023
David Crane/picture alliance via Getty Images
Nevada police have identified the man authorities believe was a victim of homicide at this year’s Burning Man festival.
The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday that 37-year-old Vadim Kruglov, a native of Russia, was the person found “lying in a pool of blood” on the Black Rock Desert festival grounds on August 30. Authorities previously said they were investigating Kruglov’s death as a homicide.
Officials — who earlier this week sought the public’s help in identifying the victim — added that Kruglov’s family in Russia has been notified, ABC News reports.
“Although this act appears to be a singular crime, all participants should always be vigilant of their surroundings and acquaintances,” Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen previously said in a statement Sunday. “There is no further information available at this time, but it will be released as appropriate to provide for communication, while still preserving the integrity of the complicated investigation of a crime in a city which will be gone by the middle of the week.”
As Allen noted, the investigation is “complicated” due to the fact that Burning Man — which concluded Monday with the mass exodus of festival goers — adheres to a “Leave No Trace” principle, meaning all structures, belongings, and waste were removed from the site. Authorities worked quickly to gather evidence from the crime scene prior to the deconstruction.
Additionally, the remoteness of Black Rock City, with its lack of cellphone service and surveillance cameras, also serves as an impediment to the homicide investigation. Given the degree of difficulty, authorities have asked Burning Man attendees to come forward with any information regarding the death.
“We are also currently seeking information regarding any suspect identifiers for any person who would commit such a heinous crime against another human being,” Sheriff Allen added. “At this time, no information is too small to disregard, so do not hesitate to contact my office.”
From Rolling Stone US.