Burning Man Homicide Victim Identified After Being Found Dead In 'Pool of Blood' By Madison E. Goldberg

The Nevada Bureau of Land Management has identified the victim of a potential homicide at the Burning Man festival.

In a statement shared on social media on Wednesday, Sept. 3, the NBLM confirmed the man was identified as Vadim Kruglov of Russia. He was 37 and lived in Tacoma, Wash.

A Pershing County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputy was notified of Kruglov lying in “a pool of blood” on Saturday, Aug. 30, around 9:14 p.m. local time, as the festival’s symbolic “Man” wooden effigy began to burn, according to a prior press release from Sheriff Jerry Allen. His body was brought to the Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office.

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The PCSO’s homicide investigation remains ongoing. PEOPLE has reached out to the PCSO for comment. The sheriff’s office and friends of Kruglov are asking any witnesses who saw Kruglov before his death to contact the sheriff’s office at 775-273-2641 or email at [email protected].

“We sincerely ask for your help. It s crucial for us to retrace Vadim’s last few days at Burning Man. He was definitely at Mine Warrior, danced inside the pyramid and may have appeared in video from art cars or spent time with people in the camps,” friend Sofiia Shcherbakova wrote on social media.

In a statement on the alleged murder, Burning Man emphasized that the “safety and well-being of our community are paramount.”

The Burning Man festival was held in the Black Rock Desert, with participants building temporary housing referred to as Black Rock City. Burning Man regularly sees about 80,000 attendees each year. This year’s festival started on Aug. 24 and concluded on Sept. 1.

“Our hearts go out to Vadim’s family and friends and we grieve the loss of a community member,” Burning Man organizers said in an updated statement, per KCRA. “Burning Man Project is doing everything we can to assist the Sheriff’s investigation so the perpetrator can be caught and brought to justice. 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.”

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Last year, a woman died at the event after she was found unresponsive on the grounds. Emergency service personnel attempted lifesaving measures, but were “unsuccessful,” Burning Man said in a statement at the time.

“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends affected by this loss,” the statement said.