Burning Man festival reports three deaths during 40th anniversary

Three deaths have been confirmed during the 40th anniversary of the Burning Man festival in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.

Two fatalities occurred within the festival grounds. Sampson Tshombe, a man in his mid-50s, died on September 3 after experiencing a medical emergency on a festival street; emergency responders performed CPR before he was pronounced dead at the onsite medical facility. On September 5, 60-year-old Craigh Mann was found deceased by campmates in his trailer. Authorities stated that no foul play is suspected in either case.

A third attendee died while being transported from the remote desert site to a hospital in Reno. Because this death occurred outside the jurisdiction of Pershing County, the investigation into this specific incident falls to Washoe County authorities.

Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen noted that while the festival typically averages one death per year, this year has seen an unusual increase. Autopsies and toxicology screenings for the victims are expected to take six to eight weeks to complete.