Vadim Kruglov: Burning Man murder victim identified after he was found in ‘pool of blood’ in Nevada desert
The victim of a grisly murder at a wildly popular US festival has been identified.
Police were called to Burning Man festival in Nevada desert on Saturday after a festivalgoer found the body of a man laying in a “pool of blood”.
After days of investigation, Nevada’s Bureau of Land Management has identified the man as 37-year-old Russian man Vadim Kruglov.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The festival occurs once a year in “Black Rock City”, a temporary metropolis established for the duration of the event in Black Rock Desert.
The week long festival has no headliners or scheduled performers, instead, the festivalgoers create all the attractions themselves.
On the penultimate night of the festival, a large wooden sculpture called the “Man” is burned.
As the “Man” was set alight on Saturday, local police were called by a festivalgoer who made the tragic discovery, finding Mr Kruglov’s body on the ground of a campsite in a pool of blood.
Pershing County police and local rangers arrived at the scene and confirmed the death.
A homicide investigation was launched and, while authorities said it appeared to be a “singular crime”, festivalgoers were warned to remain “vigilant of their surroundings and acquaintances”.
A statement from Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen revealed that the process of gathering evidence was ongoing and several festival participants have been interviewed.
He said the investigation will have an added layer of difficulty because the “city” in which the crime occurred no longer exists, as it was packed away when the festival concluded.
Burning Man Project released a statement saying they are cooperating with authorities as they carry out the investigation.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Mr Kruglov’s family pay to bring him home to Omsk in Russia.
“Vadim poured his soul into our community: building camp, creating art, helping others, and always sharing his kindness and energy. His contributions will forever remain part of the Burn’s history,” the fundraiser page said.
“Now, we want to honour his memory and support his family. We are raising funds to bring him home to Omsk, so that his parents can say their last goodbye and lay him to rest with his loved ones.
“We ask everyone who knew and appreciated him to contribute. Any support, big or small, means the world.”
Pershing County have not released information about suspects.
