Dustin Kjersem, a father from Montana and an avid outdoorsman, was found dead on a camping trip almost three weeks ago. Now, police have named a suspect in his “heinous” murder.
On Saturday, Oct. 12, the 35-year-old man was found dead in his tent about 2.5 miles up Moose Creek Road, close to Big Sky.
When his friend found him and called 911, they first thought he had been attacked by a bear, but the police quickly found out it was a murder.
The suspect is being held on separate charges, Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said in a media release, but the name of the person they have identified has not been released yet.
“It is believed the suspect acted alone and there is no longer a threat to the community,” he said. “Further details and charges are forthcoming, but it is important for this community to know they are safe to resume their outdoor activities.”
Springer said in the release that the suspect is helping police and has led them to evidence they already knew about.
An Estwing camp ax, blue and silver, probably with a 26-inch handle; a Remington Model 11-87 12-gauge shotgun, wood stock; a Ruger Blackhawk.44 Magnum revolver, blued 4 5/8-inch barrel, wood grips;
and an orange YETI Tundra 45 cooler were some of the items that police said may have been taken from the crime scene.
I want to thank the detectives from the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office for never giving up on this case.
Springer said in the release, “They have worked day and night for almost three weeks with little time to sleep, spend with their families, or do anything they want.”
“The safety of this community and the need to find Dustin Kjersem’s killer came before everything else.” This kind of devotion is what makes the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and all police officers unique.
People in this town should be proud of the men and women who have decided to serve their country and keep you, your family, and your friends safe.
The Montana Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole, the Medical Examiner’s office, the Montana Highway Patrol, the Missouri River Drug Task Force, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the U.S. Forest Service, and Gallatin County Search and Rescue were some of the other groups Springer thanked for their help with the case.
In a recent emotional interview with Fox News Digital, Kjersem’s sister, Jillian Price, asked the public to help find the person who killed her brother.
“Please stop and look to help us figure out who did this,” Price asked. “I need help from everyone. “Anyone.”
Price said that Kjersem has a teen son and a daughter. She told them, “I wish they could have heard his laugh, but I just hope they know how caring he was.”
Kjersem was last seen going for camping in his Ford F-150 on October 10 in the afternoon. He was supposed to meet a friend the next day, but he never showed up. The friend looked for Kjersem and found his body, according to the police.
“Our thoughts and prayers continue for the family of Dustin Kjersem,” he said. “In some small way, we hope that our work can bring them some peace during this terrible time.” Everyone in our neighborhood is sad for you.
