The father of Burning Man murder victim Vadim Kruglov broke his silence and pleaded for ‘justice’ as investigators continue to follow several leads days after the Russian native was found lifeless in a pool of blood near his camp.
In an emotional video statement provided to the Daily Mail, Igor Kruglov said he was proud of his son, who is now known worldwide for the art he created at the Black Rock, Nevada desert festival shortly before his death.
‘He felt injustice deeply and fought for fairness always,’ Igor said of his son. ‘I believe a similar situation occurred here.
‘This world is often unfair, but as a peaceful man, I seek justice. I want those responsible to face consequences.’
Washoe County Nevada Regional Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Kruglov, 37, was pronounced dead at the Burning Man camp at about 9:15 p.m. on Aug. 30.
Other festival goers flagged officials down after Kruglov’s bloodied body was found in the outer area of the festival campsite.
Investigators said Kruglov was found sometime during the festival’s climax when the wooden ‘Man’ effigy began to burn in the northwestern Nevada desert.
Medical Examiners have not released the manner and cause of death because of the ongoing investigation, but Pershing County Sheriff’s detectives quickly called the incident a homicide.
Vadim Kruglov took several pictures in front of the massive art installation he designed and help construct during the Burning Man festival
Kruglov’s father, Igor, said he is seeking justice for his son’s tragic death
Sources close to the investigation told The Daily Mail Kruglov was stabbed multiple times and the incident was a ‘deliberate homicide’.
Kruglov’s body was found in a pool of blood about four minutes away from the camp where he was staying, sources said.
Veteran ‘burners’ told the Daily Mail the area where his remains were found is known as ‘free camp’ where individuals don’t need reservations for their vehicles or RV.
Festival goers, many who are involved in Burning Man chat groups specific to their hometowns, have detailed run-ins with an ‘unhinged man’ the same night of the homicide. The ‘burners’ said the unidentified man claimed he had a knife and had to clean his RV of blood.
Sheriff’s officials refused to comment on these claims, and provided no further details on the investigation or description of the suspect or suspects.
Investigators said other festival participants discovered Kruglov’s bloodied body around the time when the ‘Man’ was being burned in the center of the Black Rock camp on Saturday night around 9:15 p.m.
Kruglov was a part of the ‘Luminary Love’ camp. Friends told the Daily Mail this was his first time at Burning Man
Officials, however, told the Daily Mail they are following ‘several leads’ that they have received from the public.
‘Although this act appears to be a singular crime, all participants should always be vigilant of their surroundings and acquaintances,’ said Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen in a press release on Aug. 31.
Friends told the Daily Mail that Kruglov was an artist living in Tacoma, Washington, but he often missed his hometown and family in Omsk, Russia.
Vlad Pigin said Kruglov was an active participant of the Burning Man community in Seattle.
‘He decided to come last minute,’ Pigin said. ‘This was his first Burn.’
Pigin added: ‘Although he wasn’t married and had no children, he built a family everywhere he went. In Seattle, he was embraced by a large and loving Burning Man community, and in New York he made countless friends who treasured his presence.’
Pigin said Kruglov designed and help construct a massive art installation that he called ‘Heart with Rays’. Some of the last pictures the artist took were in front of his installation before he disappeared Saturday.
The two-week festival ended on Monday.
About 80,000 ‘burners’ waited to watch the culmination of the two-week festival, which ends with the burning of the ‘Man’ located at the center of the Black Rock, Nevada camp
Pershing County Sheriff’s launched a murder investigation after Kruglov’s lifeless body was discovered over the Labor Day weekend
Burning Man, which is known for its celebration of anarchist and counterculture values, draws 70,000 to 80,000 annually, and some ‘burners’ do participate in open drug use at the playa.
In another video, Igor said he wanted to dispel rumors that his son was somehow involved with or took drugs during the festival.
The artist’s friends also told Daily Mail Kruglov was not known to take any drugs.
‘I want to make an official statement to preempt any rumors or distortion of information,’ Igor said in his statement. ‘My son was incredibly honest and a great person. I will not allow anyone to tarnish his reputation with false claims of drug connections or anything else.’
Kruglov’s friends set up a GoFundMe to help with costs to transport his body to his hometown and other funeral costs.
‘Vadim was the kind of person who could strike up a conversation with anyone,’ Pigin said. ‘Always smiling and always in good spirits, he radiated warmth and kindness. He was social, creative, respectful, and endlessly generous with his time and energy.
He added: ‘At Burning Man, he threw himself wholeheartedly into helping his camp, building, creating art, and sharing his joy with everyone around him. His excitement was contagious, and he filled his social media with photos of his beaming smile and the adventures he was so proud to be part of.’
A woman who claimed she worked with Kruglov in 2014 for two airline companies said the Russian native had always dreamed of coming to America.
‘During this last year, every time he called, he said how tired he was and how much he wanted to return home to Russia,’ the woman wrote in her tribute. ‘My God, who would have known that he would return to Russia… in such a different state. We’re all heartbroken and grieving deeply.’
