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Murder at Burning Man turns Silicon Valley’s desert playground into a crime scene

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Murder at Burning Man turns Silicon Valley’s desert playground into a crime scene Connie Loizos PM PDT · August 31, 2025 A homicide investigation has rocked the final days of Burning Man after a man was found dead “lying in a pool of blood” Saturday night at the Nevada desert festival, according to the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office. According to the New York Times, the grim discovery occurred around p.m. just as the festival’s iconic wooden “Man” effigy began its traditional burn.

The victim, described as a white adult male whose identity remains unknown, was found

The murder comes as Burning Man long ago evolved from a countercultural gathering into a networking hub for Silicon Valley’s tech elite. Tesla CEO Elon Musk once declared that “Burning Man is Silicon Valley,” and Mark Zuckerberg famously helicoptered in to serve grilled cheese sandwiches. Amazon’s Jeff Bezos has also made the desert pilgrimage.

But perhaps no tech leaders have deeper ties to the festival than Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who have been devoted attendees for years. Their connection reportedly runs so deep that long before Google Doodles became known for celebrating holidays, the very first Google Doodle was launched on August 30, 1998 to tell users that Page and Brin were out of office at Burning Man.

This homicide investigation marks the latest in a series of bizarre incidents at the festival over its 38-year history. In 2017, a man died after throwing himself into the burning effigy, while deaths from motorcycle crashes and vehicle accidents have occurred since the 1990s. In another strange twist, last week, a baby named Aurora was born at the festival to parents who had no idea they were expecting.

The investigation faces unique challenges as Sheriff Allen noted it’s “a complicated investigation of a crime in a city which will be gone

“Although this act appears to be a singular crime, all participants should always be vigilant of their surroundings and acquaintances,” the sheriff’s office warned, as the temporary desert metropolis prepares for its annual dismantling.

Techcrunch event Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise. Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. San Francisco | October 27-29, 2025 REGISTER NOW Topics

Connie Loizos Editor in Chief & General Manager

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