Ax recovered from Montana tourist’s brutal murder, authorities say, killer remains at large

Two weeks later there was a camper in Montana brutally murdered in his tentauthorities say they are looking for a large hatchet and other items believed to have been taken from the crime scene.

Dustin Kjersem, 35, was found dead in his tent earlier this month by a friend who reported Kjersem had allegedly been killed by a bear, but officials soon discovered the camper was actually the victim of a brutal murder.

In a publication in social networksThe Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office said it continues to investigate the homicide and asked the public to be on the lookout for a large ax and several items believed to have been taken from the crime scene.

Specifically, authorities said they are looking for a blue and silver Estwing camp ax, possibly with a 26-inch handle, as well as a Remington 11-87 12ga shotgun and a Ruger Blackhawk .44mag revolver. The sheriff’s office said it is also looking for an orange Tundra 45 cooler made by YETI.

“If you see these items, do not touch them and report them immediately,” the office said in a statement that included images of an ax and a refrigerator.

“We appreciate the information provided by the community and numerous tips are being investigated,” the office added.

Earlier this month, a friend discovered Kjersem’s body in a tent at a temporary campsite along Moose Creek Road and called 911, telling emergency responders that the death was likely the result of a bear attack. the sheriff’s office said earlier.

But a state wildlife official found no signs of bear activity, and investigators said they soon found evidence of a “vicious attack.” An autopsy later revealed that Kjersem suffered “multiple stab wounds,” including to the skull.

“He was brutally murdered at his campsite and we need your help,” Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said earlier, adding that his detectives were working “around the clock and night to find his killer.”

No suspects have been identified, and Springer said the remote area of ​​the crime scene, where there is no cellphone service, made the investigation more difficult than in most cases.

“People have asked me if there is a threat to this community, and the answer is, we don’t know. We don’t have enough information at the moment,” he said.

Kjersem’s sister Gillian Price said her brother was a skilled businessman and a respectful father.

“I don’t understand why the world doesn’t just stop and look for who did this to him,” Price said said the Bozeman Daily Chronicle. “Please, I mean he deserves it. I need it.”

A GoFundMe set up for Kjersem’s children has raised more than $24,000.