The suspect, Darren Christopher Abbey, 41, has been arrested in connection with the death of a Montana man who was initially believed to have been mauled by a bear. BBC,
On October 30, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that they had “identified a suspect” after the body of 35-year-old Dustin Kjersem was found in a tent about 2.5 miles up Moose Creek Road near Big Sky, Montana on October 12. Is. ,
Sheriff Dan Springer said Abby was invited by Kjersem to share his campsite, located about 35 miles south of Bozeman. Prosecutors allege that Abbey later attacked Kjersem, hitting him with a piece of wood, striking him with a screwdriver and attacking him with an axe.
Abbey reportedly returned to the scene to remove items he thought might incriminate him, but overlooked a can of beer that was left. Authorities say Abbey confessed to the murder and said he found Kjersem at a campsite he wanted to use, after which he attacked her.
Police indicated that Abbey led them to several items he allegedly took from the campsite, including an axe, firearms, and a cooler.
Sheriff Springer said, “This appears to be a heinous crime committed by an individual who has no regard for Dustin Kjersem’s life.” He added, “We have part of his story, but we don’t fully understand the whole truth.”
Abe was ordered held on $1.5 million bail during a court appearance Friday.
The Sheriff’s Office also reassured the community that they can safely resume outdoor activities, with additional details and charges forthcoming. Further comments on the case will be withheld until charges are filed.
Sheriff Springer expressed gratitude to the detectives for their “continued pursuit of justice”, highlighting their tireless dedication for nearly three weeks with little rest. He praised the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and all associated agencies for their commitment to community safety.
Kjersem, a resident of Belgrade, Mont., was last seen on Thursday, October 10, and his body was discovered two days later around 10:07 a.m. local time.
In his closing statement, Springer expressed condolences to Kjersem’s family: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Dustin Kjersem’s family. We hope our efforts will bring them some peace during this difficult time, as will our entire community. “Mourning with them.”
Earlier, on October 24, the Sheriff’s Office issued a release seeking information about several items “believed to have been removed from the crime scene,” including a camp axe, shotgun, revolver, and cooler. .
The man who found Kjersem’s body initially suspected a bear attack. However, a state Fish, Wildlife and Parks agent found no evidence of bear activity in the area, leading investigators to treat the case as a homicide. According to prior statements by the Sheriff’s Office, an autopsy later confirmed that Kjersem’s death was caused by a “vicious attack.”
