New Zealand

Woman appeals for help after brother dies at US music festival

17:29 pm on 1 September 2019

The sister of a New Zealander who died at the Burning Man festival in the United States has appealed for help to bring him home.

Nevada police are investigating Shane Billingham's death. Photo: 123RF

Thirty-three-year-old Shane Billingham died at the alternative culture festival, which is held in the Nevada Desert every year.

He was working at the event before being found unresponsive in his car, in circumstances the police are investigating as "suspicious".

They say he had poisonous levels of carbon monoxide in his blood.

His sister, Laura Billingham has set up a GiveALittle page to help bring his body home, and it has raised more than $24,000 so far.

The Burning Man festival is held annually in desert about 160 kilometres from the city of Reno.