When Dustin Kjersem’s girlfriend found his body at a campsite in the Montana woods, she suspected Kjersem had been killed by a bear, because of the severity his wounds. But police say a man did it — and that they’ve now arrested a suspect who has admitted to the crime.
The accused killer “removed items from the campsite he believed had evidence that could tie him to the crime,” including an axe used against Kjersem, Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said in a news briefing on Thursday.
But he missed a beer can, Springer said. Using DNA from the can, the Montana state crime lab was able to find a match: Daren Christopher Abbey.
“This individual confessed to the murder of Dustin Kjersem,” the sheriff said of Abbey, who is 41.
Abbey is being held in Butte on a charge of deliberate homicide, as well as two counts of tampering with evidence. He has been denied bond, according to Gallatin County records.
State correction department records show Abbey has four or more arrests for DUI, raising the offense to the felony level. He has multiple tattoos on his abdomen and arms, including swastikas and Viking symbols.
Investigators are still working to determine a motive for the killing.