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Second Death Reported at Burning Man 2026
Confirmed
In Short: A second death has been reported at this year's Burning Man festival in northern Nevada, marking the second fatality at the annual event.
A second death has been reported at this year's Burning Man festival in northern Nevada, marking the second fatality at the annual event, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The Burning Man Project confirmed that Craigh Mann, a 60-year-old participant, was found deceased in his camp on Saturday, September 5, at approximately 3 PM. This comes days after another attendee in his mid-50s died following a medical emergency at the festival.
The festival 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.' No cause of death was disclosed at press time. The latest death continues a troubling trend of medical emergencies among concert attendees at the festival, which draws about 70,000 people annually.
Jerry Allen, the Pershing County sheriff and coroner, said in a statement that two deaths had occurred within the confines of the festival, with a third death reported in transit to a hospital in Reno. The deaths are being investigated, with autopsies and toxicology screenings expected in six to eight weeks by the Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The deaths have raised concerns about the safety of the festival, which typically averages one death per year. Despite the tragic events, officials ruled out signs of foul play in both cases and are working to determine the causes of death.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- The late 50-year-old festivalgoer was taken to the camp's emergency care center, where he was pronounced dead.
- Iron Maiden fans may know Lawson from his appearance in the recently released documentary Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition.
- He spent his entire 10-year NFL career with the Illinois outfit, making 148 regular-season appearances after being selected in the second round of the 1980 draft after graduating from Penn State.