Arrest Made - Dustin Kjersem, 35, killed while camping, 911 caller thought bear attack, sheriff says murder, Oct. 12, 2024

[RedHaus]

Jury convicts man of murdering Dustin Kjersem last year

After deliberating for three-and-a-half hours on Monday, Gallatin County jurors found Daren Christopher Abbey guilty of killing of 35-year-old Dustin Kjersem last year near Big Sky.

www.belgrade-news.com

3.5 hours deliberation, Abbey convicted on all counts.

Sentencing on December 30, 2025.

FANTASTIC NEWS!!

Justice for Dustin.

 

[mickey2942]

FANTASTIC NEWS!!

Justice for Dustin.

This case was particularly satisfying. The police found the suspect in a rapid manner. He was immediately incarcerated. And the trial was done in a timely manner. Little over a year. That is amazing.

I don't see any potential for rehabilitation here. It wouldn't surprise me if Abbey gets LWOP. But that doesn't bring Dustin back. And it destroys a piece of Montana. The woods just aren't safe.

 

[sunspun]

This case was particularly satisfying. The police found the suspect in a rapid manner. He was immediately incarcerated. And the trial was done in a timely manner. Little over a year. That is amazing.

I don't see any potential for rehabilitation here. It wouldn't surprise me if Abbey gets LWOP. But that doesn't bring Dustin back. And it destroys a piece of Montana. The woods just aren't safe.

Yeah, and Abbey gets to back home to the pen to see all his old friends.

And Dustin was just trying to be hospitable.

 

[Niner]

I have to agree - this was a very quick case! Glad to hear he was found guilty!! Unfortunately, I couldn't read the articles you all posted.... not available over here....

 

[TwinkieDefense]

Nov 12, 2025 article

https://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/national-news/ap-montana-man-convicted-of-murder-in-campsite-killing/

[…]

Abbey’s defense attorney, Sarah Kottke, said Wednesday that he will decide whether to appeal after he’s sentenced on Dec. 30 before state District Judge Peter Ohman.

[…]

Deliberate homicide is a capital offense in Montana but prosecutors will not seek the death penalty in the case, said Jack Veil with the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office.

[…]

 

[arielilane]

A huge thank you to the jury, they got it absolutely right. Though I never doubted the jury.
Cleaning up trash and putting it behind bars.

BOZEMAN (Scripps News Bozeman) — A jury has convicted Daren Christopher Abbey on charges of deliberate homicide and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence in the killing of Dustin Kjersem.

Man convicted in brutal murder at Montana campsite

Prosecutors accused Daren Abbey of murdering Dustin Kjersem in October 2024 at a Moose Creek campsite near Big Sky.

www.courttv.com

 

[mickey2942]

A huge thank you to the jury, they got it absolutely right. Though I never doubted the jury.
Cleaning up trash and putting it behind bars.

BOZEMAN (Scripps News Bozeman) — A jury has convicted Daren Christopher Abbey on charges of deliberate homicide and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence in the killing of Dustin Kjersem.

Man convicted in brutal murder at Montana campsite

Prosecutors accused Daren Abbey of murdering Dustin Kjersem in October 2024 at a Moose Creek campsite near Big Sky.

www.courttv.com

I think that he should have tried to work some sort of plea deal. But maybe nothing was offered.

The brutality of the murder was overkill. It didn't seem to be "self defense", as Abbey had no defensive wounds on him at the time of arrest.

This was fast work by LEO.

 

[loreet]

I doubt Abbey was offered a plea deal. He had very little to offer on his side. And nothing but first degree murder would have satisfied Dustin’s family, friends, and an angry and frightened public. A lot of Montana locals recreate in National Forest and take their children fishing, hunting, hiking. It was terrifying to think someone could come into a campsite and murder them in their beds. Which is probably why the lack of news coverage tbh.