A 35-year-old man who went missing while camping in Montana last week was later found dead with severe injuries. Initially, those reporting the incident believed he had been attacked by a wild bear. However, police investigations and autopsy results revealed that the victim was actually the victim of murder. The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office has urged the public to remain vigilant when visiting remote mountainous areas.
According to a report by The Washington Post on the 17th, Dustin Kjersem, a construction worker, last communicated with his family on October 10th while camping in the woods. He missed a planned meeting with friends on the 11th, prompting them to search for him in the mountains. On the 12th, friends discovered Kjersem’s body inside his tent at a remote campsite in Big Sky, Montana. Due to the severity of his injuries, they initially called to report that he had been attacked by a bear.
However, local law enforcement and experts from the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks inspected the campsite and found no evidence of bear activity, leading them to conclude that Kjersem may have been murdered. The autopsy confirmed that he had died from being stabbed.
Sheriff Dan Springer addressed the media on the 16th, responding to community concerns regarding safety: “Residents are asking me if the community is facing a threat, and my answer is ‘I don’t know.’ Currently, we don’t have enough information.” He added, “What we do know is that the heinous perpetrator is still at large. It’s crucial for people to stay vigilant when venturing into remote mountainous areas.” Springer emphasized that the police are committed to working tirelessly to apprehend the suspect.
The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office has shared photos of Kjersem and his vehicle on Facebook, asking anyone who was in the Moose Creek or Gallatin Canyon areas between October 10th and 12th to come forward with any suspicious information.
