Woman Dies During First Day of Burning Man

Police are investigating the cause of death of a woman who was found unresponsive during the first day of Burning Man 2024, the Reno Gazette-Journal reports.

According to the event’s organizers, the unnamed woman was found unresponsive on Sunday (August 25th) at 11:29 a.m in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. Emergency services personnel’s attempts at life-saving measures were unsuccessful.

Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen told the Reno Gazette-Journal that his deputies were notified of the death at 11:37 a.m. An investigation will be conducted until a cause and manner of death can be determined.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the decedent,” the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office said. “This is the first reported death on the playa this year and unfortunately it has happened on day one.”

In a similar statement, Burning Man said they would not be providing further details out of respect for the grieving family’s privacy and offered counseling services to attendees.

During last year’s Burning Man, a man was found unresponsive amid record rains that forced upwards of 70,000 to shelter in place — though the weather conditions were not believed to be a contributing factor to his death.

Burning Man 2024 is slated to run through September 2nd. Around 70,000 people are expected to attend.