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

[arielilane]

On Oct.12, Kjersem’s girlfriend drove to the campsite to find Kjersem dead inside his tent with extensive injuries to his skull and body.


@NBCMontana

BIG SKY MURDER SUSPECT IDENTIFIED: The Gallatin County Sheriff’s office has identified suspect Daren Christopher Abbey for the murder of Dustin Kjersem. The 41-year-old was arrested in Butte earlier this week and confessed to the murder of Kjersem. https://bit.ly/48xqCAb

https://twitter.com/x/status/1852129759037128778

 

[arielilane]

Though the Flathead (Kalispell, Bigfork, & Polson) Lake is not around where Dustin was found brutally murdered this is for Dustin!


@NBCMontana

Between today's rain and snow showers, our weather camera in Polson captured this beautiful view of a rainbow on Flathead Lake! What a sight!

7:33 PM · Oct 31, 2024

 

[dotr]

Suspect named in grisly murder near Big Sky

Springer said the homicide appears to be a chance encounter, and there is no known connection between Abbey and Kjersem.

www.ktvq.com

''Abbey reportedly said in his confession that he had planned to camp on Thursday, Oct. 10 at the site where he encountered Kjersem, whose camp was already set up.

According to Springer, Abbey said in his confession that Kjersem welcomed him to the campsite and offered him a beer.

“At some point, this individual struck Dustin Kjersem with a piece of solid wood, stabbed him in the neck with a screwdriver, and ultimately hit him with the axe,” Springer said.

Springer said the motive for the attack is still unknown.''

 

[Tower]

Suspect named in grisly murder near Big Sky

Springer said the homicide appears to be a chance encounter, and there is no known connection between Abbey and Kjersem.

www.ktvq.com

''Abbey reportedly said in his confession that he had planned to camp on Thursday, Oct. 10 at the site where he encountered Kjersem, whose camp was already set up.

According to Springer, Abbey said in his confession that Kjersem welcomed him to the campsite and offered him a beer.

“At some point, this individual struck Dustin Kjersem with a piece of solid wood, stabbed him in the neck with a screwdriver, and ultimately hit him with the axe,” Springer said.

Springer said the motive for the attack is still unknown.''

I wonder if we’ll ever know a true motive. After brutally murdering someone, there was no realistic option to move into that campsite. It sounds like this murderer was a violent sub-human, who lashed out at some perceived wrong. Because he’s so volatile and unhinged, there may not be a logical motive that we can comprehend.

What a terrible tragedy. RIP Dustin and peace to his children and family, who write of him so lovingly.

 

[mickey2942]

Sounds like Abbey entered re-hab and it didn’t work. Sad that the system failed.

The system didn't fail. JMO. Rehabilitation is an opportunity for change. People either accept it, or reject it. Sounds like he wasn't a good candidate for Rehabilitation.

I see no potential for Rehabilitation here. I almost wonder if life in prison was easier for Abbey. He had a group, an identity, and probably thought it was easier to live an organized life of easy predictability.

 

[scapa]

Here's Darren's LinkedIn for anyone interested.

LinkedIn Login, Sign in | LinkedIn

Login to LinkedIn to keep in touch with people you know, share ideas, and build your career.

www.linkedin.com

I'm guessing his LI leaves out a few details...

Sounds like Abbey entered re-hab and it didn’t work. Sad that the system failed.

I'd say that it's more likely that DA failed the system. And everyone else.

What a pointless and cruel crime. And for what? Argh. If only the Spokane boxing champ had landed a few more in self-defence that night.

Kudos to LE on this one. Sounds like a relatively quick, tidy investigation, despite the chaos of the crime scene.

 

[PrairieWind]

Suspect named in grisly murder near Big Sky

Springer said the homicide appears to be a chance encounter, and there is no known connection between Abbey and Kjersem.

www.ktvq.com

''Abbey reportedly said in his confession that he had planned to camp on Thursday, Oct. 10 at the site where he encountered Kjersem, whose camp was already set up.

According to Springer, Abbey said in his confession that Kjersem welcomed him to the campsite and offered him a beer.

“At some point, this individual struck Dustin Kjersem with a piece of solid wood, stabbed him in the neck with a screwdriver, and ultimately hit him with the axe,” Springer said.

Springer said the motive for the attack is still unknown.''

So sad. Victim families often want to just know why. But they wont get any kind of real answer here. It sounds like he did it just for the hell of it. I wont be surprised if kills or tries to kill someone in prison.

 

[liona]

I am so glad that this person has more than likely been taken out of the community forever. Unfortunately it still doesn’t surprise me. I really thought for sure that it must have been somebody with at least a passing acquaintance with Dustin, not a complete stranger and right now, as I’m camping, I’m definitely wary of everybody. It’s super common to be invited to a camp or to invite strangers to sit around the fire, grab a beer, burger or just chat while camping. I did that last night and I may rethink that going forward a bit but it’d be a shame to let this racist ruin that because I’ve met so many wonderful people on my outings. Literal lifelong friends over the years.

I wasn’t going to check for an update yesterday because here I am camping alone but something told me to and I was very glad to see so much movement. I don’t know if we’d be here today had Dustin not offered that beer. From the sound of it Dustin was a good man right until the end. May he rest in peace in hopefully a beautiful wild forest just like he enjoyed so much here on earth and may his loved ones be able to find peace for themselves going forward.

 

[Jinkasaurus]

Any crime is horrible, but when a completely innocent person, just living their lives, inadvertently crosses path with a predator/ticking-time bomb/etc it seems extremely tragic. The randomness and unpredictability is terrifying. None of us can live our lives being completely prepared and protected from these sorts of folks if we happen to end up in their cross hairs. Thankfully it is statistically rare this will happen, but that is cold comfort to the loved ones of the victims.

 

[Sweeper2000]

We know why they went overkill? It's obviously personal to some degree isn't it? That explains half of it.

 

[fridaybaker]

Wondering if he was on drugs...

So strange. There are so many animals of the two-legged kind out there these days.

 

[PrairieWind]

I used to (and occasionally still do) backpack in some remote areas to fish, sometimes alone. I'd come across folks on the trail or in camp. Usually just say hello or exchange some quick info on things like directions or fishing or if there are bears in the area, etc. Just stuff like that. But occasionally there would be someone that made me uneasy. There can be some very weird people in remote places. So I often carried a gun. It is the two-legged animals that concern me. Its not like I can call the police if something happens. There is no cell service and the nearest law enforcement could be 20 miles away. You're on your own.

 

[Muddy K]

We know why they went overkill? It's obviously personal to some degree isn't it? That explains half of it.

Respectfully, I disagree that it was in any way personal. IMO, "overkill" is often symptomatic of murders who cannot handle themselves, period, cannot know themselves, cannot accept self-responsibility, cannot face their emotions, needs or anger. The list goes on.

The only thing "personal" here is that Dustin happened to personally be camping in a spot familiar to this killer.

 

[loreet]

I had the opposite feeling, felt this was solvable right off the bat. GCSO inspired my confidence with the way this case was handled from the beginning. They turned to the public and asked for help right away, not many agencies do that these days.

Sheriff Springer was open and honest, shared details without compromising the investigation. Warned the public to be vigilant, because they could not say for certain the public was not in danger. As soon as a POI was in custody, he announced the public was now safe to enjoy the outdoors again. No PIO, he spoke to the public directly.

Yes I am also impressed with how quickly the case was solved and the relatively open communication of LE with the public. Points to Sheriff Springer. This area of Montana has had a dramatic increase in tourism and population which has left many locals concerned that existing law enforcement just cannot keep up with the increase in crime. Solving high-profile cases can help with confidence in LE for sure.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Department also very recently solved and closed a high profile cold case — the rape and murder of 15 year old Danielle Houchins — from 1996, using forensic genetic genealogy.

D

MT Thread 'MT- Danielle Houchins, 15, S.A. & drowned, Cameron Bridge Fishing Access Site, 21/9/96, DNA - Paul Hutchinson, 55, fisheries biologist(dec.) 2024.'

Aug 9, 2024

Lengthy article.

Danielle Houchins cold case solved

At a press conference Thursday morning, Spring said that Paul Nathaniel Hutchinson, 55, of Dillon was identified using forensic DNA genome sequencing.

www.kbzk.com

Aug 08, 2024
''DEVELOPING:
BOZEMAN — Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer says the man who killed 15-year-old Danielle Houchins has been identified.
At a press conference Thursday morning, Springer said that Paul Nathaniel Hutchinson, 55, of Dillon was identified using forensic DNA genome sequencing.''

''Last month, DNA evidence collected at the time of Houchins’ death was matched to Hutchinson. The day after Gallatin County law enforcement had their first...

• dotr
• Replies: 23
• Forum: Cold Cases

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[Sweeper2000]

Respectfully, I disagree that it was in any way personal. IMO, "overkill" is often symptomatic of murders who cannot handle themselves, period, cannot know themselves, cannot accept self-responsibility, cannot face their emotions, needs or anger. The list goes on.

The only thing "personal" here is that Dustin happened to personally be camping in a spot familiar to this killer.

I'm not sure I'm up to date. Is the guy who is under suspicions for the murder DK's ex girlfriends ex? Or not?

Eta. Just seen that article. Sucks big time. Jus out camping and having a laugh. Offer your murderer a beer and blamo. Axe to the head. Seems absolutely senseless to me. Random encounter, friendly beer, smashes him up, steals some bits and then leads police to the stolen bits if the guy he has murdered. Openly confessing it seems. Senseless.

 

[georgiajean]

Suspect was in court today, charged. Would be curious to see the charging documents if anyone can find them.

Moose Creek murder suspect charged with deliberate homicide in the brutal killing of Dustin Kjersem

The man accused of murdering Dustin Kjersem of Belgrade at his campsite near Big Sky in October appeared in Gallatin County Justice Court on Nov. 1, 2024.

www.kxlf.com

From article, lots of new facts, including (paraphrased):

• Suspect claimed self defense.
• Said he washed the screwdriver and ax in the stream.
• Washed his clothes, burned his shoes in a wood stove (didn't say where).
• Admitted to taking two coolers, a 44 pistol, holster, shotgun, ammunition sleeve.
• Returned to campsite to get his hat.
• Stole binoculars and headlamp from DK's truck.
• Disposed of 2 phones he took from DK's tent (phones were found Oct 17).

In court on Friday, Abbey's bail was set at $1.5 million. His next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 15, 2024.

 

[translator]

Absolutely absurd. I thought it seemed like a “random” crime from the beginning but to find out that it (as far as is known) truly was just a random, chance encounter is scary and additionally saddening.

I’m glad that the investigation is progressing so quickly both for Dustin/Dustin’s loved ones and the broader community.

RIP Dustin.

 

[translator]

Re the suspect’s 2012 conviction:

When Targets of Hate Violence Strike Back

It’s not often that hate crimes end so poetically. But two recent stories offered up nearly perfect — even comic — portrayals of justice at work.

www.splcenter.org

Racist Skinhead Flattened by Man He Attacked Goes to Prison

An Idaho judge today sentenced a racist skinhead to up to five years in prison for maliciously harassing a black man who, it turned out, was a former boxer who defended himself last summer with a one-punch knockout. Daren C. Abbey, who has been free on bond, appeared surprised as he was led from...

www.splcenter.org

Addressing the court before sentencing, Abbey didn’t offer an apology to Baker and claimed he had never been given an opportunity “to give my side of the story.” “I probably did make the wrong decision, and the result of that is I got beat up pretty bad,” he told the judge. “If anything, this was a huge learning lesson,” Abbey added.


Seems like he’s got a lengthy and violent criminal record. Hopefully justice is served here. Something tells me whatever “side of the story” Abbey tries to tell this time won’t be what actually happened anyway—and he clearly learned nothing from his previous “huge learning lesson”.

 

[orchidaceaes]

Seems like prosecutors have a solid case to work with. DNA evidence linking the suspect to the crime scene when no one else was with Dustin, a full confession, and the suspect led them to the location of items only the killer would know. No way was this "self defense" IMO. This is humanity at its lowest.
I feel so bad for his family. I hope they all are taking care of themselves mentally. But how can you come to terms with your loved one being brutally murdered for literally no reason?

 

[airportwoman]

I don’t know if we’d be here today had Dustin not offered that beer. From the sound of it Dustin was a good man right until the end. May he rest in peace in hopefully a beautiful wild forest just like he enjoyed so much here on earth and may his loved ones be able to find peace for themselves going forward.

I wonder if that beer lowered the perp's inhibitions.