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

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Motherofvoids16 said:
I believe an argument ensued, probably political in nature. Perhaps Dustin tried to get him to leave. I am sure Dustin realized shortly into their conversation that the guy was a Nazi racist. I do not think he noticed the Nazi necklace at first meet and tatts must have been covered by clothing. I just can't see Dustin inviting a Nazi skinhead in for a beer. DK sounds like a really good person. Anyways, DA became enraged at what he perceived an offense in his disturbed mind. I do not think DK was asleep. DA was enraged. IMO the robbery was an afterthought. Because as we all know, criminals are opportunists.
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Could very well have happened that way, esp given the election timeline.

It could also have been much more stealthy and violent, without the banter and shared drinks, etc. I don't see A as being capable of much in the way of charming facade whatever the welcome he might have received from the generous Dustin.

Not sure we can believe anything Abbey claims about the circumstances of that murder. We know from at least one previous case that he can attack without provocation and (IIRC) from behind. IMO this was a brutal murder for gain and without extenuation. Hoping he does not thrive in jail but have no doubt he'll do as much damage as he can on the way there and beyond.
 
If interested, full video worth the watch. For more recent info, start at the 10 minute mark. Glad to see this case get some attention, jmo.

Dustin Kjersem went camping in Gallatin County, Montana, on October 10 and was later found dead in his tent. A convicted felon has been arrested for his murder after leaving a beer can with his DNA at the scene. Law&Crime's Angenette Levy @angenette5 reports.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1853852276667933034
 
arielilane said:
If interested, full video worth the watch. For more recent info, start at the 10 minute mark. Glad to see this case get some attention, jmo.

Dustin Kjersem went camping in Gallatin County, Montana, on October 10 and was later found dead in his tent. A convicted felon has been arrested for his murder after leaving a beer can with his DNA at the scene. Law&Crime's Angenette Levy @angenette5 reports.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1853852276667933034
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Thanks!
 
I wonder if there will be a trial here, but DA seems to have changed his story a bit, to "self defense", which I don't buy for a minute, as he doesn't look like he was even punched. Even if it was a few weeks ago, he didn't even have a bruise or cut on his face in his mugshot.

His next hearing is November 15, 2024.

www.kbzk.com

Moose Creek murder suspect charged with deliberate homicide in the brutal killing of Dustin Kjersem

The man accused of murdering Dustin Kjersem of Belgrade at his campsite near Big Sky in October appeared in Gallatin County Justice Court on Nov. 1, 2024.
www.kbzk.com www.kbzk.com
 
arielilane said:
If interested, full video worth the watch. For more recent info, start at the 10 minute mark. Glad to see this case get some attention, jmo.

Dustin Kjersem went camping in Gallatin County, Montana, on October 10 and was later found dead in his tent. A convicted felon has been arrested for his murder after leaving a beer can with his DNA at the scene. Law&Crime's Angenette Levy @angenette5 reports.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1853852276667933034
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Very accurate report. Thanks for posting it.
 
Knox said:
Collection is mandatory for adult felony offenders, thank goodness!
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Some of us looked at that during a previous investigation and trial. Technically, its true that states are supposed to be gathering DNA from felony convicts, BUT..

It's not uniform across states. Many states aren't routinely collecting DNA from convicted felons. They offer a variety of reasons including cost, not willing to test and retain DNA for all types of felonies, etc. Some don't offer a reason at all. It was a big disappointment. JMO, my opinion from some of the state comments I read was that many states just consider it too expensive and prefer to spend the money on other things.

I disagree, but its difficult to make states comply. They don't have to.
 
Betty P said:
Some of us looked at that during a previous investigation and trial. Technically, its true that states are supposed to be gathering DNA from felony convicts, BUT..

It's not uniform across states. Many states aren't routinely collecting DNA from convicted felons. They offer a variety of reasons including cost, not willing to test and retain DNA for all types of felonies, etc. Some don't offer a reason at all. It was a big disappointment. JMO, my opinion from some of the state comments I read was that many states just consider it too expensive and prefer to spend the money on other things.

I disagree, but its difficult to make states comply. They don't have to.
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44-6-103. Collection of samples and maintenance of data, MCA

archive.legmt.gov archive.legmt.gov
 

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iirc, there's a scheduled hearing today for this loser. Any updates?

www.montanaconvicts.com

Daren Christopher Abbey - Montana Convicts

Daren Christopher Abbey (3025811) committed DUI-Excess Alc Conc-4th or Subseq Off, DUI-Excess Alc Conc-4th or Subseq Off according to their Montana State Department of Corrections felony conviction record. Continue reading to view their detailed felony record along with their physical and...
www.montanaconvicts.com www.montanaconvicts.com
 
arielilane said:
iirc, there's a scheduled hearing today for this loser. Any updates?

www.montanaconvicts.com

Daren Christopher Abbey - Montana Convicts

Daren Christopher Abbey (3025811) committed DUI-Excess Alc Conc-4th or Subseq Off, DUI-Excess Alc Conc-4th or Subseq Off according to their Montana State Department of Corrections felony conviction record. Continue reading to view their detailed felony record along with their physical and...
www.montanaconvicts.com www.montanaconvicts.com
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I don’t know- I don’t have access to the court’s website- but would love an update if someone knows
 
New info from charging docs filed yesterday (11-15) in court. DA was supposed to have a hearing yesterday, haven't heard anything about that, but these documents were filed. So perhaps the hearing was about the charging docs?

Anyway
This journalist's report on the charging documents has many more details.

Two shot glasses with residue believed to be Tequila were found.
Multiple beer cans and bottles scattered around the site.
Beer cans from inside the tent were used to collect DNA samples.

Oct 25, the results on the DNA were returned.
At the same time, tips had come in about a "skinhead dude", and they collected video evidence from Big Sky Resort. Images matched DA's driver's ID.

The explanation of self defense that DA gave: DA says he and DK were hanging out inside the tent when DA's dog hopped on to DK's air mattress, leaving muddy paw prints. DA claims DK threatened that he was going to shoot him and kill his dog. DA says that's when he killed DK. Prosecutors say this story does not add up.
 
georgiajean said:
New info from charging docs filed yesterday (11-15) in court. DA was supposed to have a hearing yesterday, haven't heard anything about that, but these documents were filed. So perhaps the hearing was about the charging docs?

Anyway
This journalist's report on the charging documents has many more details.

Two shot glasses with residue believed to be Tequila were found.
Multiple beer cans and bottles scattered around the site.
Beer cans from inside the tent were used to collect DNA samples.

Oct 25, the results on the DNA were returned.
At the same time, tips had come in about a "skinhead dude", and they collected video evidence from Big Sky Resort. Images matched DA's driver's ID.

The explanation of self defense that DA gave: DA says he and DK were hanging out inside the tent when DA's dog hopped on to DK's air mattress, leaving muddy paw prints. DA claims DK threatened that he was going to shoot him and kill his dog. DA says that's when he killed DK. Prosecutors say this story does not add up.
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Not only doesn't add up, but it's not self defense.
 
Warwick7 said:
Not only doesn't add up, but it's not self defense.
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Exactly! A pretty lame excuse for a story. I guess if DK had his gun locked and loaded, and he was in direct threat, maybe. I don't believe his story. Listening to his sorry excuses in the case where he threatened a black man for being black in Idaho is all I needed to hear.
 
Okay- I have been asked to keep the court dates for this case. After reading the last 25 pages - anything "new" on whether he had a hearing on 11/15/24? Next hearing maybe. Unfortunately - I thought i could access the Gallatin court site - but no go.
Maybe @Knox - I see you have access - could you help me with getting court dates? TIA! :)
 
Here is what I have so far.

Friday, November 15th:
*Hearing (@ am MT) - MT - *Dustin Mitchell Kjersem (36) was last seen on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024 & was found dead in his tent on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 along Moose Creek Road north of Big Sky, MT. - *Daren Christopher Abbey (41) arrested 10/24/24 (unrelated charges [parole violation] & charged (11/1/24) with deliberate homicide & 2 counts of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. Originally bond denied. Bond set at $1.5M (11/1/24). Gallatin County
Authorities in Montana say a 911 caller discovered his friend dead in a tent in what appeared to have been a fatal bear attack — but officials soon discovered the camper was actually the victim of a brutal murder. Dustin Kjersem, 35, was found dead in his tent on Saturday morning along Moose Creek Road north of Big Sky, Montana, Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said at news conference Wednesday. A friend who was supposed to have met Kjersem went searching for him when he didn't show up as scheduled on Friday. An agent with the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks agency who visited the site, however, found no signs of bear activity & investigators said they soon found evidence of a "vicious attack," which is being investigated as a homicide. Kjersem, who was last seen on Thursday afternoon, sustained "multiple chop wounds," including to his skull, an autopsy showed.
10/25/24 Update: The Gallatin County Sheriff's Office is continuing its investigation into the homicide of 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 ^ is pursuing multiple leads. Detectives are also looking for public assistance in locating several items believed to have been taken from the crime scene. Missing are: Estwing cap axe [blue & silver, likely with 26" handle], Remington 11-87 12ga shotgun with wood stock, Ruger Blackhawk .44 mag revolver [blued 4 5/8" barrel, wood grips] & orange YETI brand cooler-Tundra 45.
10/31/24 Update: The Gallatin County Sheriff's Office says a suspect has been identified in the murder of Kjersem. Sheriff Dan Springer said in a press release the suspect is in custody on unrelated charges & is cooperating. Springer says the suspect has led detectives to evidence previously identified. According to Sheriff Springer, the suspect is believed to have acted alone & there is no longer a threat to the community. The investigation is ongoing, but the sheriff emphasized that the community is safe to resume outdoor activities. THe suspect is Daren Christopher Abbey. Sheriff Springer said detectives were led to Abbey from a DNA match with a sample taken from a beer can in Kjersem's tent. Abbey was located in the Butte area on Oct. 26 & was arrested leaving a local establishment. Abbey was interviewed on Oct. 29 & confessed to the murder, according to Sheriff Springer. Sheriff Springer said the homicide appears to be a chance encounter with no prior connection between Abbey and Kjersem. According to Sheriff Springer, Abbey said in his confession that Dustin welcomed him to the campsite & offered him a beer. “At some point, this individual struck Dustin Kjersem with a piece of solid wood, stabbed him in the neck with a screwdriver, and ultimately hit him with the axe,” Springer said. Abbey reportedly removed several items he had touched from the campsite on Thursday night & returned again on Friday to remove more items.
11/1/24 Update: Abbey was formally charged with one count of deliberate homicide & two counts of tampering with or fabricating evidence. In court on Friday, Abbey's bail was set at $1.5 million. His next hearing is scheduled on 11/15/24.
11/15/24 Update: Re charging documents: Two shot glasses with residue believed to be Tequila were found. Multiple beer cans & bottles scattered around the site. Beer cans from inside the tent were used to collect DNA samples. Oct 25, the results on the DNA were returned. At the same time, tips had come in about a "skinhead dude" & they collected video evidence from Big Sky Resort. Images matched DA's driver's ID. The explanation of self defense that DA gave: DA says he & DK were hanging out inside the tent when DA's dog hopped on to DK's air mattress, leaving muddy paw prints. DA claims DK threatened that he was going to shoot him & kill his dog. DA says that's when he killed DK. Prosecutors say this story does not add up.
 
Niner said:
Okay- I have been asked to keep the court dates for this case. After reading the last 25 pages - anything "new" on whether he had a hearing on 11/15/24? Next hearing maybe. Unfortunately - I thought i could access the Gallatin court site - but no go.
Maybe @Knox - I see you have access - could you help me with getting court dates? TIA! :)
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From what I have searched, there was no physical hearing for DA on 11-15. There were new charging documents filed, which have been referenced in local news reports. New details in Moose Creek murder investigation: Twin's DNA, photos helped capture alleged killer

Next hearing is Nov 26, 9 am
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