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

[Data Sleuth]

I am..... sharing your better opinion.

Street sales near guarantee that nobody is going to be asking any uhmmm "hard questions".

My guess is that the perp would keep the pistol as a “Trophy” of his dastardly deed.
It wasn’t used in the murder, so no threat of LE doing any ballistics tests if found. No doubt the weapon has been cleaned of fingerprints and DNA traces.
This Trophy would be kept in a hidden “special place”. Perhaps inside the Orange Yeti cooler which would be buried in a location only know to the killer. If this is an expericienced rapist or murderer, the cooler would contain other trophies from crimes occurring in the past.

 

[Knox]

My guess is that the perp would keep the pistol as a “Trophy” of his dastardly deed.
It wasn’t used in the murder, so no threat of LE doing any ballistics tests if found. No doubt the weapon has been cleaned of fingerprints and DNA traces.
This Trophy would be kept in a hidden “special place”. Perhaps inside the Orange Yeti cooler which would be buried in a location only know to the killer. If this is an expericienced rapist or murderer, the cooler would contain other trophies from crimes occurring in the past.

Cash is King, but you may prove to be right. Time will tell.

 

[RickshawFan]

My guess is that the perp would keep the pistol as a “Trophy” of his dastardly deed.
It wasn’t used in the murder, so no threat of LE doing any ballistics tests if found. No doubt the weapon has been cleaned of fingerprints and DNA traces.
This Trophy would be kept in a hidden “special place”. Perhaps inside the Orange Yeti cooler which would be buried in a location only know to the killer. If this is an expericienced rapist or murderer, the cooler would contain other trophies from crimes occurring in the past.

The Yeti cooler is a trophy. No need for it to be full of valuable stuff.

 

[RickshawFan]

Hmm. I think this is down to the partner? If my husband had been camping solo and robbed, I would know EXACTLY what was stolen. I would have shopped at least half the items myself.

Many men keep this info hidden from their significant others, IME. Outdoor guys often spend ALOT on outdoor gear. Just sayin'.

Also, this guy was a solo. Why would anyone be familiar unless they had camped with him?

 

[ch_13]

Also, this guy was a solo. Why would anyone be familiar unless they had camped with him?

I think this is the most plausible reason. Someone who has camped with him previously knew he owned these items. They weren’t at the campsite or his home, so the police believe they were taken by the murderer.

 

[Data Sleuth]

The Yeti cooler is a trophy. No need for it to be full of valuable stuff.

Thinking of trophies that some criminals keep from their crimes, hidden so they are not found. Hard to hide a cooler unless you bury it.

From Wikipedia:
“Murderous mementos: the trophies of famous serial killers©Getty Images
In the context of a murder, a "trophy" is an item that the killer takes from the victim as a souvenir of the crime. The FBI differentiates in their definition of these two words, classifying a souvenir as something that fuels the killer's fantasy, while a trophy is proof of their skill. Regardless, the result is the same: the murderer uses these objects to relive the thrill of the crime and feel powerful again.

Many of the most famous serial killers in history took items from their victims, either to treasure as a keepsake or to repurpose for some other grisly function. Each sick mind comes up with its own reasoning for hoarding these objects, but the habit is almost universal among serial killers.

Click through the following gallery to find out what macabre souvenirs these murderers took from their victims.”

​

​

 

[slowpoke]

I am wondering how the police knew exactly what was missing. It isn't like the victim could tell them.

If someone had been at the campsite, knew what was there, and what was missing? I am married, and honestly, I really wouldn't have a clue what would be "missing" from my husband’s campsite. I don't know what he takes, I don't even know what guns he has...

So, I find the specificity interesting. Down to the axe. I wouldn't have a clue what type of axe he has, or would be missing.

Maybe they found a list he had made, of things to take camping. I know if I were going camping, or any trip, really—I make a list.

The specificity IS interesting, though. Maybe they found recent receipts?

 

[shetalksinstereo]

I think the cooler was just a discreet vessel to put stuff in. People in MT wouldn't be suspect of someone carrying a long arm and a cooler, but might notice a long arm, a handgun and a bloody axe? My dad used to deer hunt and carried his pistol in addition to his long gun so maybe those 2 wouldn't seem out of the ordinary...who knows whst else was taken thst may have been small and was tossed in the cooler.

 

[mickey2942]

I didn't know Dustin, but he seems like such a great guy, taking responsibility for a step child, and calling him his own son, even after the relationship with the mother is over.

The world is a little bit less brighter without him. Sad for his kids. Sounds like being a father was important to him.

 

[Knox]

'He was a Montana boy': Family, friends mourn homicide victim Dustin Kjersem

Dustin was the baby and only boy of the family. When he moved in with Price as a teenager, she remembers how helpful he was with her then two-year-old daughter.

www.bozemandailychronicle.com

Must read story.

 

[liona]

Looking at the reviews, it seems many of these sites are fairly close together. Hopefully people saw or heard something. These camping areas are free to use and people don’t register when they stay, so no identifying information is available about campers.

Yes, that is exactly how it is. I said up above it’s a great way to make money and disappear. It’s probably one of the last places you can work and live anonymously. We went out from NY along with many others from all over the country during the recession. One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. But there was crime, a lot of it ranging from drugs to human trafficking and murder. I was advised by a camp lead to not go anywhere by myself in one area of northeastern MT, to always have my husband with me, which is irritating to me but I did end up having a bad experience one night and that was the last time I went anywhere alone.
It’s sad that it doesn’t surprise me but I think this is being handled very well by LE and people are talking about it. Tbh, occasionally we’d run into LE that were unhappy with our presence. Even as law abiding citizens I think there was a boom that nobody was prepared for back then and it sounds like it still going on.
Dustin seems like a really sweet and well liked family man and this is a horrible crime that I hope gets solved quickly for everybody’s sake. There is a very dangerous person out there.

Just from looking at a public service ad following the news story, the area does deal with a lot of homeless people. I suppose that’s due to the transient, seasonal nature of work in the area. It seems to often put homeless families out living with other homeless people, not a safe situation. Looks like those areas need more permanent housing, something they’re working on.

I suppose the businesses see it differently. If they can keep people working on a temp basis, it makes them move more frequently and allows the employers to pay lower wages. Kind of like the early 1900’s in the US. Not a good situation, especially for young people and families stuck in this economy. Not surprised there’s serious crime.

It seems many of the nomadic workers do know each other and pay attention to others traveling around the same areas. This should make it somewhat easier for LE to investigate suspicious persons and a possible killers movements around the area.

I still am friends with a lot of people we traveled and worked with and yes there usually is a solid core that protects each other. It absolutely was a mix of families and some unsavory people. I think desperation forced us to have to do this in many cases because it’s not ideal at all.

 

[RedHaus]

Daren Abbey pleads not guilty in Big Sky homicide

UPDATE: November 26 at 1:55 p.m.

www.kulr8.com

Mentions some of the items that LE believe were taken from the crime scene:

View attachment 540393

Thanks again for finding this, @AppleTreeGreen. Having mulled it over for a couple days I have a conundrum with this new data.

If LE believes DK's camp axe was taken from his tent, how can we presume it is THE murder weapon, when LE has also stated they have yet to determine what the murder weapon is?

If we take LE's words as they were stated (and not veiling their investigation), I wonder if there is an as-of-yet unidentified murder weapon, and the axe was just stolen like the guns and Yeti?

ET: fix typos

 

[Data Sleuth]

I did a lookup on the the items that were listed as missing from the campsite by LE.

1) Yeti Tundra 45 hard cooler, weight-25 lbs empty. Outside Dimensions: 26 in wide by 16 in deep by 16 in tall.
Pretty bulky and heavy to be carrying around by someone.

2) Estwing 26 in camp axe: weight 3 pounds. (Too big to fit inside the cooler and close the lid. The inside width of the cooler is only 18.3 in wide.)

3) Remington 11-87 12 gauge shotgun with wood stock: weight 8 pounds

4) Ruger Blackhawk .44 Mag Revolver. Weight: 3 pounds.

In total that is 39 lbs. of items that someone would have to lug around, in my opinion that means a motor vehicle was most likely used to transport the missing items away from the campsite. Even if 2 people were involved in the murder that is still a bit much to constantly be on the move with.

 

[AppleTreeGreen]

Thanks again for finding this, @AppleTreeGreen. Having mulled it over for a couple days I have a conundrum with this new data.

If LE believes DK's camp axe was taken from his tent, how can we presume it is THE murder weapon, when LE has also stated they have yet to determine what the murder weapon is?

If we take LE's words as they were stated (and not veiling their investigation), I wonder if there is an as-of-yet unidentified murder weapon, and the axe was just stolen like the guns and Yeti?

ET: fix typos

That is a good point!

Rereading some of the articles it appears like you said LE has yet to identify the murder weapon and it appears that they also clarified for the public that though DK’s axe could possibly have evidence that indicates it could be the MW they can not definitively identify as such as of yet.

Also, based on what I read online and could watch on YouTube it appears that though the axe is of good quality, sturdy and could possible wound, harm or kill someone if used in an assault, it was originally designed to make the average everyday chopping work needed to maintain a campground physically easier on the user. For example, like splitting wood, chopping up firewood and construction. However, this doesn’t appear to be recommended when chopping thick chunks of wood and with that in mind it makes me wonder how would it have fared when it is unfortunately aimed at human bone, especially the skull which is pretty thick and durable or parts of person that consists of thick protective layers of muscle, skin, tendons, fats, tissue and bones? Would a potential victim, including those like DK who are on the more fit side or are presumably have big muscle sizes from camping and hiking so much, more likely to survive the initial strikes and fight back? Would the perp want to take the risk of their victims fighting back by using such an axe?

Perhaps instead they circumvent this (and any risk of being caught without weapon or not taking advantage of an opportunity to rob or steal from someone because they weren’t armed) by bringing or regularly carrying around deadlier or riskier weapons/tools with them, like the Estwing Camper’s Axe, heavier or thicker axe, a machete or other similar products?

Such items normally wouldn’t draw attention and hypothetically speaking even if the crime was one of passion or opportunity, for their own protection and ability to fight back, it would make sense for the perp to bring their own MW instead of relying on stealing possible defensive items from DK himself?

Authorities search for items missing from campsite of Gallatin Canyon homicide case | Explore Big Sky

By Jen Clancey STAFF WRITER An axe, shotgun, revolver and cooler are reportedly missing from the Gallatin Canyon campsite where police are investigating the homicide of Dustin Kjersem. On Oct. 12, Belgrade resident Kjersem, 35, was found dead in his tent near Moose Creek in the Gallatin Canyon...

www.explorebigsky.com

 

[LoveyG]

Do we know if the victim was found intact? Wondering about the reason for taking the cooler.

 

[LadyL]

BIG SKY, Mont. – The Gallatin County Sheriff's Office is continuing its investigation into the homicide of Dustin Kjersem, whose body was found in a tent near Big Sky approximately 2.5 miles up Moose Creek.

The Sheriff's Office appreciates the community's cooperation and is pursuing multiple leads. Detectives are also looking for public assistance in locating several items believed to have been taken from the crime scene.

View attachment 540426
Anyone with information about the incident or these items is encouraged to contact the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Division at 406-582-2121 or email [email protected]. For urgent matters, contact GCSO dispatch at 406-582-2100 to speak with a deputy.

Daren Abbey pleads not guilty in Big Sky homicide

UPDATE: November 26 at 1:55 p.m.

www.kulr8.com

seems like the yeti cooler is easily identifiable
why would they take that? to sell?
watch marketplace and kijiji

 

[LadyL]

The shotgun wouldn't fit in but everything else stated would. Ie handgun and axe. I'm wondering if these were the only items missing though, iwould assume he had some money on him, wallet, cards etc kind of wondering why they would simply take the weapons. Technically no need to take the axe but did anyway.

well if the axe was the murder weapon, they would take it cause it likely has their fingerprints/dna on it

 

[Juvenile]

Seems awfully bold to enter a tent to kill someone that has an axe and two guns, even if they are sleeping

 

[Knox]

This is admittedly a huge leap, I hesitated to even post - but you never know. I'll park it here and we can all ignore it until or if there is ever a reason to discuss.

They added that Hamlett has ties to South Carolina, Alaska, Kentucky, Montana, Alabama and Tennessee.

Someone called 911 and said a bear chased him off a cliff. Deputies say it was murder

A manhunt is underway for the man deputies say killed the man, planted a fake ID on him and dumped the body.

www.wsbtv.com

ACTIVE SEARCH Thread 'TN -- Someone called 911, said bear chased him off a cliff. Deputies say it was murder. Stolen id. John Doe. Hamilton Co. Oct. 2024.'

Oct 26, 2024

Strange story.

Someone called 911 and said a bear chased him off a cliff. Deputies say it was murder

A manhunt is underway for the man deputies say killed the man, planted a fake ID on him and dumped the body.

www.wsbtv.com

• vls12345
• Replies: 48
• Forum: In the News

• 
• 

 

[mickey2942]

Seems awfully bold to enter a tent to kill someone that has an axe and two guns, even if they are sleeping

Yes. I really think that Dustin may have known his killer. We don't have information about the autopsy, like if he had any defensive wounds. It could have been done while he was asleep. Maybe the person was even sleeping in the tent with him...we just don't have enough information.