Police Identify Suspected Burning Man Homicide Victim

While police have confirmed the identity of the man found “lying in a pool of blood” at Burning Man, his suspected killer remains at large.

Several days after the first suspected homicide in Burning Man history sent a wave of shock through the Black Rock Desert, Nevada gathering’s worldwide community, investigators have identified the victim as a 37-year-old Russian man named Vadim Kruglov.

Yesterday, September 2, a friend of Kruglov’s named Sofiia Shcherbakova took to Instagram to share that he had been missing for four days. “He has not been in contact since,” she wrote. “His tent and belongings were left at camp, but he never returned.”

Shcherbakova made another Instagram post this morning, September 3, sharing that the police had confirmed Kruglov’s passing last night at 11:42pm. “He poured his soul into our community: building the camp, creating an art installation, always ready to help others, and being kind and responsive to everyone,” she wrote. “His energy and contribution will forever remain part of the Burn’s history.”

The Pershing County Sheriff was not able to immediately respond to EDM Identity’s request for comment. Investigators are preparing to issue a statement.

According to Russian media outlet Triboona, Vadim Kruglov hailed from Omsk, Russia but had been living in the US in recent years. He is said to have run a Burning Man theme camp and helped build an art installation called Mirror Heart.

According to eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred inside a large tent at the Black Rock City address 8:30 and I, an area near the outskirts of the event footprint dedicated to open camping. A loud argument could allegedly be heard there before Kruglov’s body was found. Once police were flagged down, they arrived on the scene and pronounced him dead.

We here at EDM Identity express our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Vadim Kruglov during what can only be a difficult time.