Man, 60, Dies at Burning Man Festival, Marking Second Fatality This Year

POLICY WIRE — Black Rock City, Nevada — A second attendee has died at the Burning Man festival in the Black Rock Desert, following a separate death reported just one day prior.

Craigh Mann, 60, was discovered deceased by his campmates on Saturday during the nine-day event. Organizers have not disclosed any details about the cause of death or additional information regarding the incident.

The festival’s organizers expressed their condolences, stating, Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the participant’s family, friends, campmates, and all those affected by this loss. Earlier this week, another attendee in his mid-50s passed away after experiencing a medical emergency. The man received immediate care and was taken to an on-site medical center, where he was later pronounced dead. His identity and cause of death have not been released.

Pershing County Sheriff Coroner Jerry Allen confirmed that deputies were notified on Thursday about a man found unresponsive on one of the festival’s streets. Authorities have stated there is no indication of foul play, and the official cause of death is pending further investigation.

Burning Man attracts tens of thousands of participants each year to the Black Rock Desert for a week of self-expression, art, and music. The event includes on-site healthcare services, with the emergency room treating 1,450 patients in 2025. Last year, the only death recorded was a homicide, marking the first such incident in the festival’s history.

This year’s gathering, the 40th held at the Black Rock Desert, began on August 30 and will conclude on Monday, following Sunday’s planned temple burn. Co-founder John Law has criticized the event, claiming it has lost its “anarchist soul” and transformed into a space for wealthy attendees who now enjoy luxury camps with private chefs.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)