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

[sasha17]

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

Thank you for clarifying!

 

[otto]

Crazy axe murderer, petty theft, or personal?
What happened?

Who, besides his friend on Saturday morning, knew that he was camping that weekend?
Did he live alone or with roommates?
Who was his contact person - is that the friend who found him on Saturday morning?
Had he camped there before?
Where did he work?

 

[Tower]

DBM

 

[mattieo86]

I’m intrigued by this case, I really hope they find the person. I work in Big Sky, Mt and drive by there multiple times each week. There are thousands of workers in Big Sky that drive by there each day to go back to Bozeman/Belgrade each day. It is a very popular and common commute in this area. (Everyone makes more money in Big sky doing trade work for the Millionaires and Billionaires.
I have a house in Belgrade and my boss rented me and two other workers a 3.5 million dollar condo in Big Sky so we wouldn’t have to drive an hour home each day but I prefer to drive the hour back to Belgrade most days because I like staying at home better. Anyways there are tons of out of towners here. I see plates from Texas, Colorado, Washington, etc. <modsnip - unnecessary>
Anyway a few thoughts, most of all my camping friends/hunter friends all carry guns and or bear spray on them. (Especially while camping) I had a friend attacked the first year I was here. Bears are very serious here and just 2-3 weeks ago we had a 3-400lb bear come to our jobsite two days in a row. I also had a bear walk right in front of my car and he wasn’t intimidated at all. I bring this up because I’m pretty sure Dustin would have had a gun or bear spray on him. You just don’t go into a random person’s campsite here not expecting the person to be armed. That makes me think it was someone who knew him and was either there with him or was able to somehow gain his trust. There are so many campers and trucks on the hwy there it isn’t funny. Every day when I drive by there are fly fishermen in the river everywhere. I see at least 10 or 20 of them on my way from Big Sky to Belgrade or vice versa. Between Gallatin Gateway and Big Sky there are countless turn outs. They are little gravel areas where cars can pull over and let people pass and also the fishermen park there. It also used for people to pull over and sleep. The amount of people in that area is crazy. It’s loaded with people. The road he was on probably gets a lot less people but still has a lot of campers, hunters, etc. I get no cell phone service from Big Sky to Gallatin Gateway. I think it was someone who knew him and knew he was in that area. Maybe his baby momma’s new boyfriend, or it was someone who knows that area and felt like he was on their turf. My hunting/fishing friends can get upset when they think someone is hunting their area but I wouldn’t think anyone would kill another person over anything like that. The whole hatchet or axe thing doesn’t make sense either. Not a typical murder weapon. It’s possible he met someone and hung out with them and then they turned on him. I really hope they catch this person.

 

[Sweeper2000]

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.

I think we may be in the window of the information gathering period but I'm not sure about a foot slogging drifter. I'm not sure how rural this area is but they have to be near civilisation at some point. You simply won't survive there without an extensive skill set and even then its going to be hard. If there is a drifter out in those woods I'm almost certain LE would know by now. He's going to be known as the hunters, fishers, campers and hikers would have spotted someone and Informed. I'm hoping LE give an update on the 70 odd and increasing tips they got, we should have more info then. However I do agree this murder seems likely opportunistic in nature. The overkill is notable though.

 

[Sweeper2000]

I want to find out if this guy had a regular spot for camping. That's the only way someone is going to target him and be known to him as LE will have the circle of people who knew he was going camping so would know who had that potential. It sounds to me like he just parked up randomly and then unfortunately a killer randomly stumbled upon him.

 

[bootsinmass]

D

Do you have the source for the sing song camping trip? I've looked multiple times and see nothing about Dustin and friend having a camping trip planned to sing?

i think OP is saying they were probably planning to have a normal camping trip. like when campers sing kumbayah around the fire - just a normal light hearted camping activity

 

[mattieo86]

<modsnip - quoted post was removed>


I forgot to mention last night about how busy this hwy is because of tourists too. Anyone worldwide going to Yellowstone flies into Belgrade/Bozeman international airport right in Belgrade. They take that hwy 80 miles south to West Yellowstone right past that area. Doesn’t Yellowstone get millions of tourists each year? Anyways I’m still thinking it was 1. Personal 2. A random person he met that turned on him.

 

[Sweeper2000]

I forgot to mention last night about how busy this hwy is because of tourists too. Anyone worldwide going to Yellowstone flies into Belgrade/Bozeman international airport right in Belgrade. They take that hwy 80 miles south to West Yellowstone right past that area. Doesn’t Yellowstone get millions of tourists each year? Anyways I’m still thinking it was 1. Personal 2. A random person he met that turned on him.

Extremely busy. Average 4 million per year just for yellowstone. It's looking very much like either of your two last options. That highway being busy isn't good though, so many vehicles to trawl through fir the perp. Do you know if that road is the only likely option in and out of moose creek?

 

[arielilane]

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.

I liked the part about arts & crafts too.

I placed the sad face on the post because Dustin's death so senseless and cruel. The obituary clearly conveyed what a fine young man he was, loved by many, and will be missed.

Can't wait until the person responsible is apprehended. jmo

 

[RedHaus]

Do you know if that road is the only likely option in and out of moose creek?

RSBM
Yes. @cheeseDreams posted this with a map:

"... you could also access this area from Portal Creek Rd, but it would be a really long way around."

Map Key:
Yellow Line = Moose Creek Road (DK's camp)
Red Line = Porter Creek Road

It was this post that spurred me to consider whether the perp arrived and left via Porter Creek Road to avoid being seen... perhaps with a more easily concealed vehicle than a car or truck (e.g. dirt bike, motorcycle, ATV, UTV, etc.).

Of course that infers premeditation, which remains my current line of speculation. IMO.

ET: link to original post & map key

 

[Sweeper2000]

RSBM
Yes. @cheeseDreams posted this with a map:

"... you could also access this area from Portal Creek Rd, but it would be a really long way around."

It was this post that spurred me to consider whether the perp arrived and left via Porter Creek Road to avoid being seen... perhaps with a more easily concealed vehicle than a car or truck (e.g. dirt bike, motorcycle, ATV, UTV, etc.).

Of course that infers premeditation, which remains my current line of speculation. IMO.

ET: link to original post

View attachment 539673

Yeh I couldn't quite tell what all the different coulered lines meant as no key. Like the purple line is that a road or what? I got the Highway though. I'm almost certain this person only had that route to get in and out as in the highway but unfortunately really heavy traffic. That's allot of data to analyse. I really don't think this was just some guy hanging out in the woods looking to murder. It looks too far from anything for that. Many many miles to travel with no food water etc. It is looking premeditated to me or someone he befriended on the way or there.

 

[Sweeper2000]

The sheriff specifically asked for hunters to check their game cameras, so yes, sounds like it is expected. Especially as hunting season is here. Quote:

Murder at Moose Creek: Gallatin County Sheriff's Office seeks help in homicide investigation

The Gallatin County Sheriff's Office held a press conference on Wednesday regarding its homicide investigation in the death of 35-year-old Dustin Kjersem of Belgrade.

www.kbzk.com

So here's my thinking. If the police are asking for trail cams or if anyone saw two people that really would infer that they think it's someone who was at his camp for a while, not just turn up at midnight kill and leave. Especially as they have said they found something there that didn't belong.

 

[RedHaus]

So here's my thinking. If the police are asking for trail cams or if anyone saw two people that really would infer that they think it's someone who was at his camp for a while, not just turn up at midnight kill and leave. Especially as they have said they found something there that didn't belong.

Right. Further, we have LE asking for sightings of DK's truck in the area 10/10-10/12. So IMO, that could imply LE is considering DK or his truck (driven by another person) left the campground.

So a possible scenerio: After setting camp DK picked up someone Thursday night - a friend, co-worker, acquaintance, love interest - and brought them back to his campsite. After all, he wasn't planning to meet his friend until Friday afternoon. Perhaps that mystery guest is the perp, or perhaps someone followed them or caught up with them, such as a love interest's jealous other partner.

If the latter, then LE would have a terrified witness. And in her haste to leave with the perp, she left some clothes, which might also explain LE's statement about finding items that 'didn't belong'.

All speculation and IMO.
ETA: last paragraph.

 

[bootsinmass]

Curious - LE is asking for sightings of "two people" - do we have confirmation that one of those two individuals is expected to have been DK? Or is it possible they believe there are 2 perps?

 

[Sweeper2000]

Curious - LE is asking for sightings of "two people" - do we have confirmation that one of those two individuals is expected to have been DK? Or is it possible they believe there are 2 perps?

I think it's probably LE saying its DK and someone else.

 

[RedHaus]

Curious - LE is asking for sightings of "two people" - do we have confirmation that one of those two individuals is expected to have been DK? Or is it possible they believe there are 2 perps?

Good question.

I originally presumed LE's implication was DK and someone else. But, it could also imply two perps... or per my last scenario, perhaps a violent perp and an unwitting accomplice who is now a witness.

From article @Sweeper2000 posted:

"We are going to need the public's help on this one. It's likely going to take someone who saw someone, heard something, or saw two individuals up at this campsite," Sheriff Springer says."

IMO.

 

[Warwick1991]

I think we may be in the window of the information gathering period but I'm not sure about a foot slogging drifter. I'm not sure how rural this area is but they have to be near civilisation at some point. You simply won't survive there without an extensive skill set and even then its going to be hard. If there is a drifter out in those woods I'm almost certain LE would know by now. He's going to be known as the hunters, fishers, campers and hikers would have spotted someone and Informed. I'm hoping LE give an update on the 70 odd and increasing tips they got, we should have more info then. However I do agree this murder seems likely opportunistic in nature. The overkill is notable though.

A drifter in this area would have his own vehicle, and use the campsites in lieu of having a more permanent place to live. This would be an equivalent of being homeless in an urban area - living in an old truck with a camper shell or van. Someone on foot - "a foot slogging drifter" -couldn't survive in the area for an extended period of time.

 

[Cryptic]

this. someone who didn't like him using 'their' site maybe?

Clearly possible- and violence has happened before over those circumstances. One forum member described a guy going ballistic because somebody reserved a site with a corral- but did not have a horse.

Somethings, however, may detract from that possibility.

- Lack of a build up. There do not appear to be any complaints by other people of being harassed or intimidated by a site claimer.

- Lack of true crowds / special area: As with anything, crowds bring more stress and likely more "claimers". For outdoorsy things, crowds are usually associated with the place being known for something: Best mountain biking in the region, closest horse riding trails to LA, excellent flyfishing / duck hunting / surfing, now being overwhelmed by crowds. Only public dirt biking trails in the region etc.

This place does not appear to have any special characteristics, though it is convenient for tradesmen working on mega home construction projects in the area. Maybe see if that site was say, the only one capable of fitting a large work trailer etc? Perpetrator becomes enraged when it is taken?

 

[georgiajean]

A drifter in this area would have his own vehicle, and use the campsites in lieu of having a more permanent place to live. This would be an equivalent of being homeless in an urban area - living in an old truck with a camper shell or van. Someone on foot - "a foot slogging drifter" -couldn't survive in the area for an extended period of time.

This is very common in more rural areas. You can stay for free in many dispersed camping across the country, 15 or 30 days. When time is up, move to another site. When I was traveling across the country on my bicycle, we met many people. Their stories varied, most were either retired an unable to afford a house or dealing with medical or mental health issues that sucked up all their money. Many had jobs. At one campground, the well water was known locally to be excellent, and people would come by to fill up all their water jugs because the local water was not good. The network of dispersed camping across this country is pretty incredible.