Suspect arrested in Moose Creek killing reported as bear attack

Law enforcement authorities announced they have now identified a suspect in connection with the “vicious” murder of a Montana father whose death was initially reported as a possible bear attack.

The Gallatin County Sheriff's Office reported that a friend called 911 on Oct. 12 after he said he found 35-year-old Dustin Mitchell Kjersem dead in a tent at a makeshift campsite on Moose Creek Road north of Big Sky, about 35 miles southwest of Bozeman.

The friend told dispatchers that Kjersem's death appeared to have been caused by a bear, as officials had previously reported.

In the department's latest update Wednesday, Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer called the murder “horrifying” and said investigators “worked day and night” to develop and track down leads in the investigation.

A suspect is currently in custody on unrelated charges, Springer said.

The agency did not release the suspect's identity or charges, but said the person was cooperating with detectives and led investigators to evidence previously reported in the case.

“It is believed that the suspect acted alone and is no longer a threat to the community,” Springer said. “More details and charges will be announced, but it is important for this community to know that they can safely resume their outdoor activities.”

Autopsy and other evidence revealed that Kjersem died as a result of murder

An autopsy and other evidence determined that Kjersem died as a result of murder, Springer said, and showed that the victim suffered “multiple lacerations” to his face and body.

Officials previously said they were examining the murder weapon, but the sheriff said it was blunt enough to cause significant damage to the victim's skull and flesh.

Officials also previously urged the public to be on the lookout for evidence believed to have been removed from the crime scene, including:

A blue and silver Estwing camp axe, possibly with a 26″ handle
A Remington 11-87 12 gauge wooden stock shotgun
A Ruger Blackhawk .44 magazine revolver (blued 4 5/8-inch barrel with wooden grips)
An orange YETI brand cooler (Tundra 45)

Who was Dustin Kjersem?

At the time of his death, Kjersem was living in Belgrade, Montana.

The city, part of the Bozeman metropolitan area, is about 45 miles directly north of where he was found murdered.

Born in Bozeman, Kjersem worked throughout the Gallatin Valley in southwest Montana, was a skilled craftsman and a loving father, his sister Jillian Price told reporters at a news conference earlier this month. Price previously asked the public for help in finding her brother's killer.

“Please find out who did this,” Price said. “There is someone in our valley who is capable of truly despicable things.”

What happened to Dustin Kjersem?

Kjersem's friend told authorities he went looking for him when he didn't show up as planned on Oct. 11, the day before he was found dead, Springer previously reported. According to authorities, Kjersem was last seen on the afternoon of Oct. 10, driving a black 2013 Ford F-150 with a black roof and silver aluminum ladder rack.

Detective Nate Kamerman said Kjersem had contact with people while driving to the campground, where services were limited.

Police believe he disappeared sometime between the afternoon of Oct. 10 and the early hours of Oct. 12 and said Kjersem's tent was well-maintained and had “a lot of gear” in it, suggesting he was likely planning to to spend the weekend there with his friend.

“The Need to Find Dustin Kjersem’s Killer”

On Wednesday, in the department's latest case update, the sheriff thanked local authorities for their assistance in the case and his office's detectives for their “tireless pursuit of justice” in the case.

“They have worked day and night for almost three weeks with limited sleep, limited time with their families and limited time for themselves,” Springer posted. “You have made the safety of this community and the need to find Dustin Kjersem’s killer a top priority. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to Dustin Kjersem's family. We hope our efforts can bring them some peace.” Our entire community grieves with you at this terrible time.

Officials said the case remained under investigation Thursday but said they would not release any further information about it until prosecutors formally filed charges in the case.

Contributor: Saman Shafiq

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.

Autopsy and other evidence revealed that Kjersem died as a result of murder

Who was Dustin Kjersem?

What happened to Dustin Kjersem?

“The Need to Find Dustin Kjersem’s Killer”

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