A woman was found unresponsive at Burning Man on Sunday morning and later pronounced dead by emergency services. The identified individual is 39-year-old Kendra Frazer, and the cause of her death is currently under investigation.
Emergency services were alerted to the situation at 11:29 am. Despite immediate attempts to revive her, they were unsuccessful. Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen confirmed that deputies were informed of the death at 11:37 am.
“This is the first reported death on the playa this year, and it’s unfortunate that it has occurred on the first day,” Sheriff Allen stated. The Burning Man Project expressed condolences to Frazer’s family and friends and emphasized the importance of safety within the community.
The organization is cooperating fully with local authorities, who investigate all fatalities within their jurisdiction. In consideration of the family’s privacy, further details will not be released at this time.
Historically, multiple deaths have occurred at Burning Man over the years, often related to accidents involving art vehicles. The most recent case prior to this was Leon Reece of Truckee, who died last year, suspected to be from drug intoxication.
Despite a challenging start due to rainy conditions leading to a 12-hour gate closure, Burning Man officially began on Sunday with about 20,000 attendees already present. Although ticket sales have been sluggish, an estimated 70,000 individuals are expected to partake in the festival until it concludes on September 7.
To assist those in need during this tragic incident, Burning Man is providing support services. The Black Rock Rangers are available for peer support, and the Emergency Services Department’s Crisis Support team is accessible around the clock.
This is an ongoing news story that will be updated as more information becomes available.