Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Burning Man: Police treating death at US desert festival as suspicious

Shane Billingham, 33, had 'poisonous' levels of carbon monoxide in his blood, post mortem reveals

Colin Drury
Saturday 31 August 2019 07:21 EDT
Comments
Shane Billingham
Shane Billingham (Shane Billingham / Facebook)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The death of a reveller at the Burning Man festival in Nevada is being treated as suspicious, police have said.

Shane Billingham, 33, was found unconscious in his car at the vast desert party on Thursday evening.

The New Zealand national had “poisonous” levels of carbon monoxide in his blood, a post mortem has now discovered.

An unidentified “controlled substance” was also found to be an exacerbating factor, the Washoe County medical examiner’s office said in a statement.

Following the report, Pershing County Sherriff’s Office said it is investigating the death as suspicious.

Burning Man is widely regarded as one of the world’s weirdest and wildest counter-culture festivals, attracting some 80,000 people from across the planet. Among the entertainments on offer during this year’s week-long event – which runs to Monday – are orgies and beer bong breakfasts.

Witnesses said Mr Billingham was given CPR by bystanders after being discovered in his vehicle at about 6.30pm local time.

He was taken to a medical tent but was later pronounced dead.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

A makeshift memorial for the professional craftsman has since been set up in the Beats Boutique camp where he was staying. A wooden medallion, jacket and boxes of essential oils are among items left there.

Paying tribute from the festival, friend Steve MacWithey told the Reno Gazette Journal he was “one of the best people I’ve ever known”.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in