Suspect ID’d in killing of camper previously believed to be bear attack

A suspect has been identified successful transportation with the grisly sidesplitting of a camper successful Montana who was initially believed to person been mauled by a bear.

The bloodied assemblage of Dustin Kjersem was recovered connected October 12 wrong a structure astir two-and-a-half miles up Moose Creek Road, eastbound of Big Sky, constabulary said.

A person made the grisly find and instantly called 911, telling dispatchers it looked similar he’d been attacked by a chaotic animal. It prompted an probe that included a carnivore adept from the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, who did not find any motion of carnivore activity astatine the site.

According to an autopsy antecedently provided by the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, 35-year-old Kjersem suffered “multiple chop wounds.” And portion investigators struggled to place the weapon, they noted that “it was thing hard capable to origin important harm to the skull arsenic good arsenic immoderate soma areas of the body.”

Authorities antecedently noted they were connected the look-out for respective things missing from the transgression scene, including a campy axe, a shotgun, a revolver, and a cooler.

“He was brutally killed astatine his campsite,” Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said, though nary motive has yet been provided.

After astir 3 weeks, authorities connected Wednesday announced they person identified a suspect, who is successful custody “on unrelated charges.” The individuality of that idiosyncratic has not been released, but “the fishy is cooperating with our detectives and has led america to the evidence” antecedently identified.

“The probe into this homicide continues,” the sheriff’s bureau said. “It is believed the fishy acted unsocial and determination is nary longer a menace to the community.”

No charges person been filed successful the case, but the sheriff’s bureau said they are “forthcoming.”

“It is important for this assemblage to cognize they are harmless to resume their outdoor activities,” the sheriff’s bureau wrote.

“Our thoughts and prayers proceed for the household of Dustin Kjersem. We hope, by immoderate tiny measure, our efforts tin bring them a spot of bid during this horrific time. Our full assemblage mourns with you,.”