A Montana man’s tragic death, first thought to be caused by a bear attack, has now been revealed to be a brutal homicide in a chilling turn of events.
At a glance:
- 35-year-old Dustin Kjersem was found dead in his tent on October 12, initially believed to be a victim of a bear attack.
- Authorities now confirm Kjersem’s death was a result of “multiple chop wounds,” leading to a homicide investigation.
- The Gallatin County Sheriff urges anyone with information, including camera footage, to come forward.
Authorities in Montana have shifted their investigation into the death of Dustin Kjersem, 35, from a presumed bear attack to a confirmed homicide, following disturbing new evidence. Kjersem’s body was discovered on October 12 in a tent near Moose Creek Road, north of Big Sky in Gallatin County, by a friend who initially believed the outdoorsman had been mauled by a bear.
However, upon further inspection, officials from the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks found no signs of bear activity in the area. This prompted the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office to investigate further, leading to the grim conclusion that Kjersem had been murdered. The autopsy revealed that Kjersem suffered multiple “chop wounds,” including to his skull, in what authorities described as a particularly “vicious” attack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNMayZCY7rI
Kjersem, a well-known outdoorsman and skilled tradesman, had been camping for several days before his body was found. He was last seen on October 10, and when he failed to meet a friend as planned, his friend went looking for him, ultimately discovering the grisly scene.
The Gallatin County Sheriff, Dan Springer, warned that while they don’t yet know if there’s an immediate threat to the community, residents should remain vigilant. “We do know that someone was out there who killed someone in a very heinous way,” he said, urging caution for those in the area.
Kjersem’s family, devastated by the loss, is pleading for any information that might lead to the killer. “There is someone in our valley that is capable of truly heinous things,” Kjersem’s sister, Jillian Price, said in a press conference. Authorities are asking anyone who may have seen Kjersem, his black Ford F-150, or any suspicious activity to contact the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, emphasizing that even small details could be critical in solving this case.
