Suspect identified in killing initially reported as possible bear attack

Suspect in Montana Campground Man’s Death Identified first reported authorities said they called 911 as a possible bear attack.

Dustin Kiersem, 35, was found dead in a tent Oct. 12 at a remote campground in the Moose Creek area by a friend, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office said.

A homicide suspect was later identified and is now in custody on unrelated charges, the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday.

“The suspect is believed to have acted alone and there is no longer a threat to the public,” Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said. said in the application.

Springer said the suspect, whose name has not been released, is cooperating with detectives and “led us to evidence that we identified in previous press releases.”

The sheriff’s office said last week that authorities wanted a hatchet, a shotgun, a revolver and a cooler in connection with the investigation.

No charges have yet been filed in the case.

“Further details and charges will be forthcoming, but it is important for this community to know that they are safe to resume their outdoor activities,” Springer said.

The last time Kjersem was heard of was on October 10, when he went on a weekend hike. He intended to meet a friend on Oct. 11, the sheriff’s office said.

After he missed the meeting place, Kjersem’s friend went looking for him and eventually found him dead from a “brutal attack,” authorities said.

When investigators arrived at the crime scene, a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks agent with experience in bear attacks found no signs of bear activity at the crime scene, prompting investigators to treat the incident as a homicide, according to the sheriff’s office. .

The examination established that the death was caused by multiple wounds. Earlier, Springer said Kjersem’s injuries included “significant damage” to his skull.