Montana Man’s Death First Blamed on Bear Attack—Now Investigated as ‘Vicious’ Homicide
A Montana man’s death first thought to be a bear attack is now a homicide investigation—cops warn the killer could still be on the loose. 🌐 #News #GallatinCountyMT #Montana #Crime
GALLATIN COUNTY, MT – Authorities in Montana initially believed a bear attack had claimed the life of Dustin Mitchell Kjersem, but an autopsy has revealed a far more unsettling truth: Kjersem was brutally murdered at his campsite, and the killer is still at large.
The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office reported that Kjersem, 35, was found dead on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 12, near Moose Creek Road, close to its intersection with Tamphery Creek Road, just north of Big Sky. A friend, concerned when Kjersem failed to show up for a planned meeting, went looking for him and discovered the grim scene.
The friend called 911, reporting that it appeared Kjersem had been killed by a bear. However, officers with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks found no signs of bear activity at the remote site. An autopsy later confirmed the shocking truth: Kjersem had suffered “multiple chop wounds” in what Sheriff Dan Springer described as a “vicious attack.”
Authorities Seek Public’s Help in Hunt for Killer
“This was a brutal killing at his campsite, and we need your help,” Sheriff Springer said during a press conference on Oct. 17. No suspects have been identified, but detectives are working around the clock to find whoever is responsible.
To aid in the investigation, officials released images of Kjersem and the vehicle he was driving: a black 2013 Ford F-150 with a black topper and a silver aluminum ladder rack.
“If you were in the Moose Creek area, or anywhere in Gallatin Canyon, between Thursday afternoon and early Saturday morning and noticed anything unusual — whether you saw Dustin, Dustin’s truck, noticed suspicious activity, have footage from game cameras or in-vehicle cameras from the area, or observed something out of place — please come forward,” the sheriff’s office said. “Even the smallest detail could be crucial to the investigation.”
A Warning to Stay Vigilant
With the killer still on the loose, authorities are urging residents and visitors to stay cautious while outdoors. “People have asked me if there’s a threat to this community, and the answer is we don’t know,” Sheriff Springer explained. “We don’t have enough information to know at this time. But we do know that someone was out there who killed someone in a very heinous way, so if you’re out in the woods, you need to be paying attention — you need to remain vigilant.”
The investigation is ongoing. Officials hope that anyone with relevant information will come forward, as even small observations could make a difference. Detectives remain committed to bringing justice for Kjersem and ensuring the safety of the Big Sky community.
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