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

[Boots38]

Don't know if it's been clarified but bear attacks are quite obvious. Wounds are tears due to bites and scratching and punctures due to claws. Place would be ripped to shreds as bears are incredibly aggressive in attack. Would also be easy to spot bear tracks. Chopping wounds are easy to distinguish as they gape and are torn apart rather than separated due to cutting/slicing. However if that poor guy had been savaged with an axe ie hit many many times it would be so messy it would be difficult to tell especially if not looking in detail as his friend presumably was and this guy probably had many defensive wounds.

For it to be something personal the perpetrator/s would have to know he was going camping and where he intended to camp. If he was followed from home I bet cameras would have picked up on the car responsible but I doubt that. This to me sounds like a average weekend out in the woods for a fire, some bevvies and maybe a sing song with a pal. The circle of people who would know those details would be quite small as its just an average weekend. Anyone attacking him would have to have a reason for such a significant thing to be done, did this man have enemies? Or involved in unscrupulous circles? If no then its not likely and more likely the killing was opportunistic in nature especially with his gear left behind. May have been a down and out no gooder roaming the woods. Jmo

What is bevvies and sing song with a pal? Has it been said he was having a friend cone camping with him to have time to sing together? Must have missed it.

 

[Boots38]

super creepy if he was killed with his own camp axe.

Is there a link for where he was killed with his own axe?

 

[swanniee11]

@georgiajean Thank you. It does make more sense now.

 

[Boots38]

When you are camping like this, you would set up, and if you had to go somewhere, you would leave it set up and trust the "campers code" of leaving others' stuff where it belongs. Some people set up alarms of different types, but most trust their fellow campers, hunters, fishers.

I camp alot and never known anyone to set up alarms.

 

[acutename]

Is there a link for where he was killed with his own axe?

no- just speculating what the murder weapon was and where it might have come from or gone.

"multiple chop wounds by an unknown weapon"

Officials: Camper's death was homicide, not bear attack

When Dustin Kjersem was found dead inside his tent at a remote Montana campsite, the victim had injuries so brutal that it was initially reported as a possible bear mauling.

bonnercountydailybee.com

 

[georgiajean]

I camp alot and never known anyone to set up alarms.

It is not the norm among people I know, but it does exist. Especially among the survival folks.

Here are some examples
Early Warning System: Campsite Perimeter Security From rocks in cans on a string, to alarms on trip wires, and more.

Campsite Security: Keeping Your Gear Safe from Thieves Afield - Modern Survival Online

If you are a camper, there is a better than average chance that you’ll have outdoor activities and adventures somewhere in your near future. Maybe you are just heading out to practice your fieldcraft. Maybe you’re heading out in an RV for a few nights with the wife and kids. Maybe you are just...

modernsurvivalonline.com

Motion alarms, tilt alarms, securitylights, trip wires, and more....

 

[sasha17]

What a horrible murder! Although the MO is different and much more up close and personal, this has a feel of the Malibu Creek State Park shootings:

Thread 'CA - Malibu Creek State Park Shooting, Tristan Beaudette, 35, 22 June 2018 *Arrest*'

Jun 24, 2018

Man fatally shot at Malibu Creek State Park campground identified - L.A. Times

Father Shot While Camping At Malibu Creek State Park Identified - CBS L.A.

The father of two young girls fatally shot while camping early Friday morning in Malibu Creek State Park has been identified as 35-year-old Tristan Beaudette of Irvine.

Deputies said they have no leads, no suspect and no motive.

Beaudette leaves behind his wife, Erica, and two young daughters, aged 2 and 4.

Friend said Beaudette took the girls camping so that Erica could study for a big test she was studying for...​

• Wire154a
• Replies: 1,003
• Forum: In the News

• 

There were other shootings and ultimately they caught a drifter and a thief. There were 7 other shootings before this fatal one: Man found guilty of murder in mysterious 2018 Malibu state park campground shooting

I wonder if there have been any other incidents, threats, etc?

That Malibu case is what made me quit going camping. I think about it a lot. Now this case with Dustin makes me REALLY makes me want to never camp again. Just too many crazies out there. I hope whoever killed Dustin is caught quickly. What a terrible tragedy.

 

[Knox]

no- just speculating what the murder weapon was and where it might have come from or gone.

"multiple chop wounds by an unknown weapon"

Officials: Camper's death was homicide, not bear attack

When Dustin Kjersem was found dead inside his tent at a remote Montana campsite, the victim had injuries so brutal that it was initially reported as a possible bear mauling.

bonnercountydailybee.com

I understood your post, you clearly said "if".

An axe or hatchet makes sense given the description of Dustin's injuries. It could be either way, his or the murderer's if that is indeed what was used to kill him. So many unknowns in this case. I hope locals are calling in tips if they saw something suspicious.

 

[ch_13]

That Malibu case is what made me quit going camping. I think about it a lot. Now this case with Dustin makes me REALLY makes me want to never camp again. Just too many crazies out there. I hope whoever killed Dustin is caught quickly. What a terrible tragedy.

It’s funny how we fear the most extreme possibilities: an airplane crash, a terrorist’s bomb, or a homicidal maniac hiding in the woods. But statistically speaking those are exceedingly uncommon. We’re far more likely to die in a car crash. Or to be murdered by someone we know.

That’s why I think that we’ll eventually learn that Dustin knew his killer and this wasn’t just some random attack.

 

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[Sweeper2000]

What is bevvies and sing song with a pal? Has it been said he was having a friend cone camping with him to have time to sing together? Must have missed it.

<modsnip - rude>
he was found by his friend who he had planned to meet.

 

[Kemug]

And "bevvies" is short for beveridges, ie drinks. More likely to be beer than cocoa!

 

[Knox]

Don't know if it's been clarified but bear attacks are quite obvious. Wounds are tears due to bites and scratching and punctures due to claws. Place would be ripped to shreds as bears are incredibly aggressive in attack. Would also be easy to spot bear tracks. Chopping wounds are easy to distinguish as they gape and are torn apart rather than separated due to cutting/slicing. However if that poor guy had been savaged with an axe ie hit many many times it would be so messy it would be difficult to tell especially if not looking in detail as his friend presumably was and this guy probably had many defensive wounds.

For it to be something personal the perpetrator/s would have to know he was going camping and where he intended to camp. If he was followed from home I bet cameras would have picked up on the car responsible but I doubt that. This to me sounds like a average weekend out in the woods for a fire, some bevvies and maybe a sing song with a pal. The circle of people who would know those details would be quite small as its just an average weekend. Anyone attacking him would have to have a reason for such a significant thing to be done, did this man have enemies? Or involved in unscrupulous circles? If no then its not likely and more likely the killing was opportunistic in nature especially with his gear left behind. May have been a down and out no gooder roaming the woods. Jmo

Pre coffee early morning thoughts.

The friend thinking a bear attack had occurred makes sense. I don’t feel someone who discovers a horrific scene like that immediately jumps to murder. It also seems to indicate the weapon wasn’t left behind in plain sight making it apparent a murder had occurred.

With what we know now, I lean towards an attack by someone known to Dustin, but leave room for the possibility it was a random crime. In either case likely not planned, because that’s a very up close violent way to kill someone. Was he sleeping when this occurred? LE hasn’t mentioned whether Dustin had a firearm? I would think it’s a good possibility he did. How would this person know he wouldn’t pull out a gun and shoot to defend himself? Very risky.

 

[bootsinmass]

Pre coffee early morning thoughts.

The friend thinking a bear attack had occurred makes sense. I don’t feel someone who discovers a horrific scene like that immediately jumps to murder. It also seems to indicate the weapon wasn’t left behind in plain sight making it apparent a murder had occurred.

With what we know now, I lean towards an attack by someone known to Dustin, but leave room for the possibility it was a random crime. In either case likely not planned, because that’s a very up close violent way to kill someone. Was he sleeping when this occurred? LE hasn’t mentioned whether Dustin had a firearm? I would think it’s a good possibility he did. How would this person know he wouldn’t pull out a gun and shoot to defend himself? Very risky.

Really strange all around ...

<modsnip - comments on social media are rumor and not allowed here>

The fact that LE continues to insist they are unsure of the weapon type actually makes me wonder if it is NOT an axe or hatchet. Obviously it would be difficult to compare the wounds to a weapon not in hand, but I'd think they would have a good idea of the standard size and shape of these tools, at least enough to say they believe it is something *like* an axe or hatchet. Also no appeal to public to look for any missing camp items in the area. I can't help but wonder if it is a stranger weapon of convenience...

 

[Sweeper2000]

Pre coffee early morning thoughts.

The friend thinking a bear attack had occurred makes sense. I don’t feel someone who discovers a horrific scene like that immediately jumps to murder. It also seems to indicate the weapon wasn’t left behind in plain sight making it apparent a murder had occurred.

With what we know now, I lean towards an attack by someone known to Dustin, but leave room for the possibility it was a random crime. In either case likely not planned, because that’s a very up close violent way to kill someone. Was he sleeping when this occurred? LE hasn’t mentioned whether Dustin had a firearm? I would think it’s a good possibility he did. How would this person know he wouldn’t pull out a gun and shoot to defend himself? Very risky.

The police should be able to tell whether or not he was sleeping at the time as well as for how long he had been deceased for when found. Presumably that would give an indication as to what time of day or night it happened. These are details we will hear maybe depending on the investigation.

The firearm is a good point, I think most would go armed. It's also true that if the perpetrator found him sleeping, he wouldn't have much of a chance. One swift blow and its game over but that doesn't fit with what the friend found which to me sounds like "overkill". Why such savagery if it didn't really take much to do the deed? Overkill suggests someone known and fueled by a personal reason, often present in ex partner homicides unfortunately. Or it's just a particularly violent homicide committed by a stranger who is just that way which is I guess much lower in likelihood.

 

[Sweeper2000]

Really interesting actually.

"Dustin had no known enemies," Price said, adding that the family was searching for answers. "We don't know anything"

Officials: Camper's death was homicide, not bear attack

When Dustin Kjersem was found dead inside his tent at a remote Montana campsite, the victim had injuries so brutal that it was initially reported as a possible bear mauling.

bonnercountydailybee.com

Doesn't leave any known options unfortunately. That article also states he was a tradesman and a father which imo ups the likelihood of him being armed. It does unfortunately state also he was heavily savaged with a implement that did indeed seem like a bear "mauling". Poor guy poor family, heart goes out to em.

I WANT THE PERPETRATOR.

 

[georgiajean]

Really strange all around ...
<modsnip - comments on social media are rumor and not allowed here>

The fact that LE continues to insist they are unsure of the weapon type actually makes me wonder if it is NOT an axe or hatchet. Obviously it would be difficult to compare the wounds to a weapon not in hand, but I'd think they would have a good idea of the standard size and shape of these tools, at least enough to say they believe it is something *like* an axe or hatchet. Also no appeal to public to look for any missing camp items in the area. I can't help but wonder if it is a stranger weapon of convenience...

<modsnip - response to snipped portion of quoted> . There is confusion about who called 911 because
A. there is no cell service out there except perhaps a Satellite phone, so who actually called from where at 10:07?
B. LE has said that the friend FOUND him but have not said who called 911. Therefore media have reported "an associate"/the friend/an aquaintence called 911 confusing the matter.

 

[Sweeper2000]

No, this fact has not been disclosed. He was in his tent, that's all we know.

if the friend saw he had been savaged badly I'm guessing his body was found outside his sleeping bag. If it looked like a bear attack that sleeping bag would be in shreds or he just wasn't in one. The wounds are to the body and head.

 

[Sweeper2000]

To anyone who wants to know camping/outside activities has all the mod cons these days. Just look on ebay for camping gear and you could buy and take camping everything including the kitchen sink. Its really nice to have home luxuries but In a natural setting.

Here's an example at just how cozy things can be. A portable air conditioning unit that you can take camping for about seventy bucks.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SHAVINGFUN-Portable-1Evaporative-Coolers-Oscillation/dp/B0CQLV7G4D/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?adgrpid=159739281966&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-x5TnU4BcRIDM-szeJlnpZ7TQ5hq6HD_-AspXUzgoIHoTwSUYItf48kiK3cy5mZgKHhI7cDPILQysDEVxyH3FggAlSzFnlX7mvwdV8kz8HvK_GUSdIQX_YwGNT8-0aS5-bJsIUFYMLH1onKbFz62YOqDw6N73PuVPAvUW9AGYOGisWBoL9ItOh6EaAowTw-wYaChmmBpTF6-HDSTroXs5A.yTw0vempcDwHIii8a75BE6q4rSDX5yURct44TvRGLHw&dib_tag=se&gad_source=1&hvadid=696769645382&hvdev=m&hvexpln=70&hvlocphy=9222618&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=4607628423824749041--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=4607628423824749041&hvtargid=kwd-308498069402&hydadcr=17351_2154993&keywords=tent+ac+unit&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1729524964&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

I hope and think this is allowed as an example of camping in luxury.

 

[RedHaus]

The firearm is a good point, I think most would go armed. It's also true that if the perpetrator found him sleeping, he wouldn't have much of a chance.

RSBM
I agree with both your points here. Two related thoughts...

1. What if the perp was with DK in the tent Thurs. or Fri. night? That would reduce the defensive gun risk factor for the perp. We know LE has asked for sightings of DK's truck between 10/10 - 10/12. So is LE is considering whether DK or someone else was driving DK's truck around the area after DK set up camp? That could include bringing another friend or acquaintance back to his campsite, non? Hopefully, CCTV along 191 is available.

2. Whether or not the perp was with DK before he was killed, I also wonder if DK was a heavy sleeper, or had a few too many 'bevvies', or if there was partying with other substances that might render DK unconscious or particularly vulnerable to a heinous attack by a psychopath.

I feel for poor DK's soul, his family and friends, and the community. Terrifying.