When Dustin Kjersem set out for a weekend of camping in the serene wilderness of Big Sky, Montana, no one could have predicted the horrific events that would unfold. A routine trip to escape into nature turned into an unspeakable tragedy, leaving more questions than answers.
The Initial Discovery
It all began on the morning of October 12, 2024, when a close friend of Kjersem’s made a 911 call after finding Dustin’s lifeless body in his tent. The caller, visibly shaken, told authorities that it looked like a bear attack—a reasonable assumption given the area. Montana is notorious for its bear population, and unfortunate encounters with these majestic but dangerous animals aren’t uncommon. However, this assumption quickly unraveled when wildlife experts from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks arrived at the scene.
There were no signs of bear activity anywhere near the campsite. No claw marks, no tracks—nothing to indicate a bear attack had taken place. What they did find, however, was evidence of a vicious, calculated act. Kjersem, just 35 years old, hadn’t been mauled by a bear; he had been brutally murdered.
Unraveling the Truth
The autopsy revealed the chilling truth: Dustin Kjersem had suffered multiple chop wounds, including devastating blows to the skull. Investigators quickly shifted gears, ruling the incident a homicide. Sheriff Dan Springer held a press conference shortly after the discovery, urging the community to stay vigilant and asking for the public’s help in finding Kjersem’s killer. “This wasn’t a random bear attack. This was murder, and we need to catch whoever did this,” he emphasized.
The crime scene, a remote area without cell service, has complicated the investigation. With limited evidence and no immediate suspects, authorities are working around the clock, but they need more information to connect the dots. Sheriff Springer expressed concern about potential dangers, saying, “People have asked me if there’s a threat to the community, and the answer is, we don’t know yet.”
A Community in Shock
Dustin Kjersem wasn’t just another name in a police report. He was a skilled tradesman, a father, a friend. His sister, Jillian Price, spoke to the media with raw emotion, describing her brother as “loving, helpful, and adoring.” She pleaded with anyone who might have information about the crime to come forward. Her words echoed a sentiment many shared: a good man’s life had been taken, and justice must be served.
“This weekend, we lost our brother, our son, our uncle, our best friend, and our dad in the most unimaginable way,” Jillian said. Her heartbreak was palpable, a reminder of the human toll behind the headlines.
Investigating the Crime Scene
Kjersem’s body was discovered in the Moose Creek area, a location frequented by hunters and campers. Investigators believe the time frame for the crime spans from Thursday, October 10, to Saturday, October 12, when Kjersem’s friend found his body. Kjersem had left his home in Belgrade, Montana, driving his black 2013 Ford F-150, which remains a focal point of the investigation. Authorities are asking anyone who might have seen his truck or anything unusual in the area during those days to come forward. Even small, seemingly irrelevant details could help solve this puzzle.
“Think of the whole canyon,” Captain Nathan Kamerman said during the press conference. “If you saw something out of place or out of the ordinary, please reach out to us.” The sheriff’s office is also seeking footage from trail or game cameras in the area, hoping for a break in the case.
A Dangerous Precedent
The region where Kjersem was found is bear country, which initially made the bear attack theory plausible. Just a few months earlier, a 72-year-old man survived a grizzly bear attack while picking huckleberries near Glacier National Park, showing how frequent these encounters can be. However, this time, the cause of death was human—a chilling thought in a place people visit to get away from it all.
The brutality of the crime has shaken the community. Who could do something like this? And more importantly, are they still out there, posing a threat to others who enjoy the outdoors? Authorities are warning people in the area to remain cautious, though there’s still no clear evidence suggesting that this killer is targeting others.
Moving Forward
Sheriff Springer and his team are investigating multiple leads but still need the public’s help to crack the case. They are looking into every possible detail, no matter how small, to solve the mystery of Kjersem’s murder. So far, no arrests have been made, and the weapon used remains unknown.
What is clear, however, is that this case won’t be easy to close. The remote location of the campsite, combined with the lack of cell service and minimal witnesses, makes it difficult to piece together what happened in the hours leading up to Dustin’s death.
As his family and friends grieve, the larger Montana community grapples with the unsettling knowledge that someone out there is responsible for this heinous act. Kjersem’s death, once thought to be a tragic wildlife encounter, is now an unsolved murder, and the search for justice continues.
