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

[RedHaus]

Huge news!

Waiting anxiously to hear more from LE! Perp sounds local like LE has said.

Kudos to investigators who have worked around the clock! Sounds promising!

 

[shetalksinstereo]

Wow. Kudos to LE. Waiting to find out further details.

In the meantime, here is the Gallatin County inmate roster, which can be sorted by arrest date.

https://gallatin-so-mt.zuercherportal.com/#/inmates

could it be a female?

 

[vls12345]

could it be a female?

I have no idea but I have the same question.

 

[mickey2942]

Suspect identified and cooperating with officials. Arrested on an unrelated charge. Interesting. At least people in the community can feel better.

Suspect identified in the murder of Dustin Kjersem, camper found brutally killed near Big Sky

The Gallatin County Sheriff's Office says a suspect has been identified in the murder of Dustin Kjersem in the Moose Creek area near Big Sky earlier in October.

www.kbzk.com

 

[Muddy K]

Wow. Kudos to LE. Waiting to find out further details.

In the meantime, here is the Gallatin County inmate roster, which can be sorted by arrest date.

https://gallatin-so-mt.zuercherportal.com/#/inmates

Because the Sheriff's press release doesn't say exactly when the suspect was arrested, or exactly what for, the only thing that seems sure to me is that, male or female, anyone currently included on the inmate roster who's been in custody since mid October or after could be the perpetrator of this wretched murder.

The killer could have coughed up some aspect of the crime as a potential bargaining chip, for example, to use against other charges.

IMO, from the outset LE seemed single minded and determined in their focus to find Dustin's killer. I hope their firm resolve brought some comfort to his family and friends throughout these few weeks.

What a tragedy, what a waste.

 

[fred&edna]

Do we know when the suspect was taken into custody? Oct 28 or 29?

 

[georgiajean]

Do we know when the suspect was taken into custody? Oct 28 or 29?

Theoretically, suspect could have been in custody any time from DK's murder to today. They asked for people to look out for the cooler/guns/ax 6 days ago.
So somehow that ask led to identifying this suspect.

 

[Knox]

I really want to known if this person knew Dustin, or if his murder was a random crime.

It seems many of the possible people in custody were arrested for drugs. I was actually surprised at the numbers.

Not so patiently waiting for a name.

 

[georgiajean]

I really want to known if this person knew Dustin, or if his murder was a random crime.

It seems many of the possible people in custody were arrested for drugs. I was actually surprised at the numbers.

Not so patiently waiting for a name.

I am also surprised at the number of serious drug offences. I shouldn't have been, after researching drugs and cartels in MT for this case.... But I still am.

 

[NervousNellie]

This article is one of the best I've read in a very long time, anywhere. It gives background and details, sets the scene for what happened and what LE knows, and also helps you know the victim of this vicious murder. I remember when journalism was always like this.

Agree! It is unfortunately refreshing when it (rarely) occurs, when in fact it should be the expected standard.

 

[STLBlues]

This case seemed so random that, I really thought this was not going to be solved. Glad LE has a suspect in custody. Based on the articles in this thread, Dustin seemed like a truly great person.

 

[Snoopster]

Pulling out for focus from the Sheriff's announcement:
Gallatin County Sheriff's Office

thank the multiple other agencies who have dedicated their time and energy into this case. The Montana Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the Montana State Crime lab, the Montana Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole, the Medical Examiner’s office, the Montana Highway Patrol, the Missouri River Drug Task Force, Jefferson County Montana Sheriff's Office, Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Department, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Custer Gallatin National Forest and Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue.

I noticed that they thanked Probation and Parole (was the suspect on probation and that's why he/she is locked up on other charges?).
Missouri River Drug Task Force - drugs involved?
Butte-Silver Bow LE - was the suspect booked there?

 

[fred&edna]

Pulling out for focus from the Sheriff's announcement:
Gallatin County Sheriff's Office


I noticed that they thanked Probation and Parole (was the suspect on probation and that's why he/she is locked up on other charges?).
Missouri River Drug Task Force - drugs involved?
Butte-Silver Bow LE - was the suspect booked there?

I had similar thoughts.

Also, I sorta/kinda focused on those with "no bond" holds.

jmo

 

[arielilane]

A suspect in the killing of a man whose death in Montana was initially thought to have been caused by a bear is in custody, the Gallatin County sheriff said Wednesday.

Suspect arrested in killing initially thought to have been from bear

The Gallatin County, Montana, sheriff said that suspect in Dustin Kjersem’s killing acted alone and there is no threat to the community.

www.nbcnews.com

Oct. 31, 2024, 2:44 AM EDT

 

[arielilane]

Incredible work by LE and all involved.
Justice for Dustin Kjersem


@Gallatin_County

More information: https://tinyurl.com/yemdpk3d


6:31 PM · Oct 30, 2024






@Gallatin_County

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office has identified a suspect in the Moose Creek homicide. The suspect is currently in custody on unrelated charges. The suspect is cooperating with our detectives and has led us to the evidence we have identified in prior press releases.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1851753701624680778

https://twitter.com/x/status/1851753701624680778

 

[arielilane]

The following is a news release from the Gallatin County, Montana, Sheriff’s Office, which concerns the investigation into the death of 35-year-old Dustin Kjersem. Kjersem’s friend found his bloodied body in a tent and thought Kjersem was the victim of a bear attack. Authorities are now saying Kjersem was murdered. Click here for more background on this story. We will post more details on this investigation as they become available.

Montana deputies have suspect after man found dead in what at first appeared to be a bear attack - East Idaho News

The following is a news release from the Gallatin County, Montana, Sheriff’s Office, which concerns the investigation into the death of 35-year-old Dustin Kjersem. Kjersem’s friend found his bloodied body in a tent and thought Kjersem was the victim of a bear attack. Authorities are now saying...

www.eastidahonews.com

 

[Dotta]

Breakthrough in grisly murder of Montana camper found dead at Big Sky

A breakthrough has been made in the suspicious death of Montana camper, Dustin Kjersem, 35, who was found with chop wounds to his body and skull near Big Sky on October 12.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[dalsglen]

I'm really surprised they've got someone for this one, I had an awful feeling it wouldn't be solved.

 

[CuriousCricket]

I'm really surprised they've got someone for this one, I had an awful feeling it wouldn't be solved.

If his campsite on Moose Creek is on National Forest land, will this be state or federal?

 

[mickey2942]

If his campsite on Moose Creek is on National Forest land, will this be state or federal?

That is a good question. It looks like the lead on this has been the sheriff of Gallatin county, and I know that there is latitude on who charges in unincorporated areas. I am going to guess that they will defer to a local jurisdiction.