Suspect arrested in killing of Montana camper who was initially reported to be the victim of a bear attack

CNN
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A single suspect has been arrested in connection with the killing of a Montana camper who was initially reported to have been the victim of a bear attack, authorities said Wednesday.

Dustin Kjersem's bloodied body was found Oct. 12 in a tent about two and a half miles up Moose Creek Road, east of Big Sky, after a friend looking for him called 911 and told the dispatcher that Kjersem had apparently been attacked by a bear, as CNN previously reported.

After the 911 call, investigators from multiple agencies, including a bear expert from the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, examined the site but found no signs of bear activity.

An autopsy revealed the 35-year-old suffered “multiple lacerations,” according to the sheriff’s office. Investigators initially said they didn't know what weapon was used, “but we know it was something hard that caused significant damage to the skull and some fleshy areas of the body.”

The sheriff's office later determined that several items, including a camp axe, a shotgun, a revolver and a cooler, were missing from the crime scene.

“He was brutally killed at his campsite,” Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said.

After a nearly three-week search, the sheriff's office said it has identified a suspect who is in custody “on unrelated charges.” That person's identity has not been released, but “the suspect is cooperating with our investigators and has led us to the previously identified evidence,” Springer wrote in an update Wednesday.

The sheriff's office believes the suspect acted alone. “Further details and charges will be announced, but it is important for this community to know that they can safely resume their outdoor activities,” the sheriff wrote.

“Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to Dustin Kjersem’s family. We hope our efforts can bring them some peace during this terrible time. Our entire community mourns with you,” said Springer.

This story has been updated with additional information.