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

[LadyL]

Is difficult to interpret isn't it. I think the "may" means its possible that he took some things that were not there upon inspection but they don't know if he took them at all. Maybe his friends gave them some ideas about his normal camping itinerary? But obviously wouldn't know if he did take them on the trip. Its the additions though, they found something that doesn't belong to him so that's a lead. LE have indeed asked for any trail cameras or dashboard cameras even if the owner thinks its "irrelevant" qs it helps build a "bigger picture".

it's a really interesting part of the mystery - what could his friends (or LE) have identified at the camp as not being his?

 

[Snoopster]

it's a really interesting part of the mystery - what could his friends (or LE) have identified at the camp as not being his?

Does the statement necessarily preclude something being his? Maybe it's just something that you wouldn't expect someone to have with them while camping. e.g. a big pile of cash.

It really is an interesting statement though, isn't it? What could they be referring to?
Someone further above mentioned women's clothes. Another possibility might be shoes/boots that are much too small or much too big. Maybe someone left some printed photos behind or a weapon (not used in the crime) that wasn't Dustin's.

ETA: typo

 

[Warwick1991]

Does the statement necessarily preclude something being his? Maybe it's just something that you wouldn't expect someone to have with them while camping. e.g. a big pile of cash.

It really is an interesting statement though, isn't it? What could they be referring to?
Someone further above mentioned women's clothes. Another possibility might be shoes/boots that are much too small or much too big. Maybe someone left some printed photos behind or a weapon (not used in the crime) that wasn't Dustin's.

ETA: typo

Perhaps a drifter killed Dustin, took Dustin's better belongings, and discarded his own.

 

[Sweeper2000]

it's a really interesting part of the mystery - what could his friends (or LE) have identified at the camp as not being his?

Maybe if we can figure out reasons why LE wouldn’t state what it was, might be a clue? We know they asked if anyone had seen "two" and we know someone left something there. What can we draw from that? The implication from asking for two is that this individual was there for some time isn't it?

 

[Sweeper2000]

Perhaps a drifter killed Dustin, took Dustin's better belongings, and discarded his own.

Doesn't explain the overkill. Why such savagery if it was just to steal a few bits?

 

[arielilane]

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer tells MTN News that since the press conference, the Sheriff's Office has received 71 tips and leads, and the investigation continues.

Fundraiser launched for children of man murdered near Big Sky as the search for his killer continues

Posted 26 minutes ago

 

[arielilane]

No new information in this article, unfortunately.

It wasn't a bear that attacked a camper found dead in his tent. Authorities say someone killed him - Outdoor News

Associated Press/October 21, 2024

 

[arielilane]

Dustin Kjersem Obituary October 12, 2024 - Dahl Funeral & Cremation Services

View Dustin Kjersem's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

www.dahlcares.com

 

[AndrewM71]

Dustin Kjersem Obituary October 12, 2024 - Dahl Funeral & Cremation Services

View Dustin Kjersem's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

www.dahlcares.com

Tenor of the obituary suggests a positive relationship with the mother of his child.

 

[Snoopster]

Dustin Kjersem Obituary October 12, 2024 - Dahl Funeral & Cremation Services

View Dustin Kjersem's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

www.dahlcares.com

What a lovely obituary.

Rest in peace Dustin.
I hope your loved ones will continue to remember you in life and keep those memories close to their hearts.

 

[Warwick1991]

Doesn't explain the overkill. Why such savagery if it was just to steal a few bits?

I don't think the killer's motive was Dustin's belongings. I think the possible "exchange" of items was incidental to the murder. It is my opinion that the killer is impulsive and not an individual who plans carefully. I believe the killer is likely to be a drifter who moves from place to place and lives in campsites.

 

[Betty P]

Dustin Kjersem Obituary October 12, 2024 - Dahl Funeral & Cremation Services

View Dustin Kjersem's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

www.dahlcares.com

He sounds like a great young man who was loved by his family and had many loyal friends. I love the part about him doing arts and crafts with his kids, using a glue gun to put google eyes on everything. It also sounds like he was very good at his trades, too. Was he surprised by a visit from someone mentally ill? Someone he met but didn’t know well from one of his jobs?

So sorry Dustin is gone. It sounds like he was loved by many, especially his kids.

 

[otto]

It sounds like the suspect might be someone who knew him, perhaps followed him. Although police have said that they can't say that the community is safe, someone who knew him makes more sense.

He was tenting 2.5 miles from his truck. He wasn't found by accident - camping 2.5 miles from road access is not the first choice for killing a stranger with an axe (or similar chop-style weapon). Someone either followed him there, or knew that's where he tented. Alternatively, there's a mad axe-wielding killer in the camping area.

It's possible that someone with mental health issues is traveling and tenting, ready to pull out a hatchet if someone looks at him the wrong way, or won't share equipment. It sounds like Dustin was a kind person. So it can't be that he upset someone. It must be a madman, or someone who knew him.

 

[georgiajean]

Tenor of the obituary suggests a positive relationship with the mother of his child.

I agree, the tenor does seem to suggest that. I also consider that an obituary is not a place to air disputes (though just a non-discussion of the mother would be sufficient to indicate things didn't end amicably). Giving a positive portrayal would also help with the gofundme, maybe?

 

[georgiajean]

It sounds like the suspect might be someone who knew him, perhaps followed him. Although police have said that they can't say that the community is safe, someone who knew him makes more sense.

He was tenting 2.5 miles from his truck. He wasn't found by accident - camping 2.5 miles from road access is not the first choice for killing a stranger with an axe (or similar chop-style weapon). Someone either followed him there, or knew that's where he tented. Alternatively, there's a mad axe-wielding killer in the camping area.

It's possible that someone with mental health issues is traveling and tenting, ready to pull out a hatchet if someone looks at him the wrong way, or won't share equipment. It sounds like Dustin was a kind person. So it can't be that he upset someone. It must be a madman, or someone who knew him.

BBM Correction: He was tenting next to his truck. The campsites having room for vehicles to park. The road was passable for most vehicles.

 

[sasha17]

It sounds like the suspect might be someone who knew him, perhaps followed him. Although police have said that they can't say that the community is safe, someone who knew him makes more sense.

He was tenting 2.5 miles from his truck. He wasn't found by accident - camping 2.5 miles from road access is not the first choice for killing a stranger with an axe (or similar chop-style weapon). Someone either followed him there, or knew that's where he tented. Alternatively, there's a mad axe-wielding killer in the camping area.

It's possible that someone with mental health issues is traveling and tenting, ready to pull out a hatchet if someone looks at him the wrong way, or won't share equipment. It sounds like Dustin was a kind person. So it can't be that he upset someone. It must be a madman, or someone who knew him.

I'm not following this super closely but I've seen posts say he was camping 2.5 miles away from road access which is where his truck was parked. But also there was a road that went close by the camping area, such that the tents could be seen from the road.

If there was a road that went by the camping area, why did he park 2.5 miles away? It would have been quite a schlep with a big walled tent and a lot of camping gear. He wasn't lightweight backpacking or anything.

 

[Knox]

As a generalisation a highly masculine job, high masculinity environment ie dad will maybe to a degree put emphasis on that angle in life. Is jmo though. I know if I was a dad I'd be carrying. My kids live through me so I need to protect myself to protect them at all times.

I agree, he was born and raised in Montana. Statistically speaking he likely hunted and owned a firearm.

Plus this from his obituary - If you are a fish or an antelope, the world just became a safer place. No longer, in tandem, will Kage and his best friend Matt hunt you down.

What a terrible loss not only for his kids and family, but community at large. A genuinely good man

 

[georgiajean]

I'm not following this super closely but I've seen posts say he was camping 2.5 miles away from road access which is where his truck was parked. But also there was a road that went close by the camping area, such that the tents could be seen from the road.

If there was a road that went by the camping area, why did he park 2.5 miles away? It would have been quite a schlep with a big walled tent and a lot of camping gear. He wasn't lightweight backpacking or anything.

I think if folks backed up any facts with either LE statements or MSM links, there would be less confusion. I'm not sure where this idea that he parked his truck 2.5 miles from his campsite came from, and if you could direct me to any posts I'd like to clear it up.

There is no MSM or LE information that states his truck was parked 2.5 miles from his campsite. Yes, his campsite was 2.5 miles from hwy 191, but everyone who camped on Moose Creek Rd drove to their campsites and parked at their campsites. These were not hike-in sites. You can learn more about the campsites at this Campendium page: Moose Creek Road Dispersed Camping Reviews updated 2024

 

[otto]

BBM Correction: He was tenting next to his truck. The campsites having room for vehicles to park. The road was passable for most vehicles.

Thank you. I checked earlier comments and see that there's a question of whether he tented 2.5 miles away from all vehicles, or just his vehicle. Did he hike 2.5 miles and end up near a road.

If so ... hatchet wielding nutter, someone he knew, petty criminal stealing equipment ...? It seems personal - axe to the head.

 

[otto]

I think if folks backed up any facts with either LE statements or MSM links, there would be less confusion. I'm not sure where this idea that he parked his truck 2.5 miles from his campsite came from, and if you could direct me to any posts I'd like to clear it up.

There is no MSM or LE information that states his truck was parked 2.5 miles from his campsite. Yes, his campsite was 2.5 miles from hwy 191, but everyone who camped on Moose Creek Rd drove to their campsites and parked at their campsites. These were not hike-in sites. You can learn more about the campsites at this Campendium page: Moose Creek Road Dispersed Camping Reviews updated 2024

I read it in the first two pages of the discussion. I skipped everything between page 2 and this page.

It sounds like his vehicle may have been with him, although early reports were unclear.

Sorry for the confusion.