Cause of death revealed in Burning Man murder of Russian national Vadim Kruglov
Officials say Kruglov died from a single stab wound to the neck as investigators say they have recovered a possible weapon; a suspect remains at large
A new round of details in the Burning Man homicide of Vadim Kruglov confirms the Russian national died from a single stab wound to the neck, and authorities say they have recovered what they believe to be the murder weapon. The Pershing County Sheriff's Office released the findings as part of an ongoing investigation into the Aug. 30 death at the Nevada desert festival, which occurred on the event’s final day.
Officials described the weapon as a green-bladed kitchen knife with a blue rubberized handle. A court-verified image circulated by the sheriff’s office shows the suspected knife, though officials cautioned that the image does not depict the actual instrument used in Kruglov’s killing. The department said it has received hundreds of tips as detectives pursue leads on a suspect who remains at large.
Kruglov, 37, traveled from Omsk in Siberia to attend Burning Man and arrived in Nevada on Aug. 24, according to a post from a friend who reported him missing. Sofiia Shcherbakova said Kruglov left his camp belongings behind and did not return to his tent after his last contact with friends at the festival. He was discovered about 9 p.m. by a festival-goer who alerted a sheriff’s deputy, the sheriff’s office said. The area where Kruglov was found lies near the festival’s centerpiece, the tall wooden sculpture known as The Man, which was being set ablaze as part of the annual closing ritual.
The Washoe Medical Examiner’s Office later identified Kruglov by fingerprints, the sheriff’s office said. Investigators have interviewed multiple witnesses in the aftermath of the discovery, and law enforcement has maintained a perimeter around the scene in coordination with Burning Man officials and rangers from the Bureau of Land Management.
The Burning Man Project has said it will cooperate fully with investigators and assist in the search for the person responsible. In a statement, the organization pledged to do everything possible to aid law enforcement, including coordinating a reward program through the Secret Witness initiative to encourage more information.
In a separate, emotional note, Kruglov’s father, Igor Kruglov, issued a tribute in Russian that was translated for local media. He said his son valued fairness and justice and called for accountability for those responsible, a message that underscored the rollercoaster of emotions rippling through Kruglov’s family and friends since the disappearance.
The case has drawn attention not only due to Burning Man’s profile but also because a foreign national was among festival attendees who fell victim to an act of violence in a remote desert setting. Authorities have stressed there is no confirmed connection between Kruglov’s death and any broader security threat at the event, and they continue to follow multiple investigative threads.
The Burners and volunteers who support the event have expressed support for the investigation and cooperation with officers on the ground. The Burning Man Project noted that it will coordinate with law enforcement on any additional details that help advance the inquiry, while also supporting those affected by the tragedy.
As investigators pursue leads, the public is urged to provide any information that could help locate the suspect. Tips can be directed to local authorities or the Secret Witness program, which offers rewards for information that contributes to law enforcement investigations.
Mid-article update: The investigation continues to build a timeline of events from Kruglov’s arrival in Nevada to the moment authorities say he was found, and officials have emphasized that determining a motive remains a central objective of the inquiry. Detectives have reviewed surveillance footage from the festival grounds and interviewed attendees who were in the vicinity of The Man during the closing ceremonies. The discovery of Kruglov in a pool of blood on the final day has prompted additional questions about crowd management and security in the remote Black Rock Desert setting, though authorities have not publicly linked the homicide to any specific individual or group.
As the investigation moves forward, police officials have stressed that later findings could alter the public understanding of what occurred. They have not ruled out any line of inquiry, and they have urged anyone with information to come forward regardless of how insignificant the tip may seem. The human toll of Kruglov’s death has prompted continued mourning among friends and relatives who described him as a peaceful man who valued fairness and justice and who traveled to the United States to experience the festival.
The last chapters of the case remain unresolved, and authorities say they are pursuing multiple investigative leads while maintaining a broad public appeal for information. The Burning Man Project and local law enforcement will likely provide further updates as evidence is processed and analyzed, and as tips continue to arrive from festival-goers and remote observers alike.
With the suspect still at large, investigators will continue to sift through forensic results, witness statements, and any digital footprints that could connect an individual to Kruglov’s death. The case has added another somber note to Burning Man’s annual gathering, reminding organizers and attendees that even in a space long associated with communal expression, tragedy can intrude.