‘Bear attack’ story unravels as Montana man found guilty of grisly campsite murder: officials

A Montana man with links to white supremacists has been found guilty of murdering a man at a Montana campsite in a brutal killing that was initially reported as a bear attack. 

A jury found Daren Christopher Abbey guilty of fatally attacking Dustin Kjersem with an axe, a block of wood and a screwdriver after the pair met at Kjersem’s campsite in nearby Big Sky, Montana, in October 2024, according to The Associated Press. 

Investigators ultimately linked Abbey to the crime scene after his DNA was found on a beer can inside the man’s tent, with Abbey initially claiming the killing was done in self-defense after Kjersem allegedly attacked him. 

BEER CAN USED TO TRACK SUSPECT IN DAD’S CAMPING TRIP MURDER: POLICE

Daren Christopher Abbey appears in District Court Nov. 26, 2024, in Bozeman, Montana.  (Laurenz Busch/Bozeman Daily Chronicle via AP, File)

However, authorities pointed out numerous inconsistencies in Abbey’s story, while pointing to the multiple chop wounds sustained by Kjersem in the attack.

Kjersem’s girlfriend and a friend later discovered Kjersem’s body and initially reported it to authorities as a possible bear attack, but authorities later ruled out their theory after wildlife agents found no signs of an animal in the area. 

Abbey later admitted to stealing Kjersem’s cooler, guns and cellphones, while also concealing evidence after the murder. 

IDAHO MURDER DOCUMENTS REVEAL VICTIM'S STALKING FEARS AND KOHBERGER'S 'INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR' AT SCHOOL 

Daren Christopher Abbey has been convicted of the murder of Montana dad Dustin Kjersem. (Montana Department of Corrections)

The six-day trial ended in Abbey being convicted of deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence, with the defendant choosing not to take the stand in his defense. While the charges constitute a capital offense within Montana, prosecutors will not seek the death penalty in the case, Jack Veil with the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office told the AP.

Abbey’s defense attorney, Sarah Kottke, said her client will choose whether to appeal the conviction once he is sentenced on Dec. 30.

SUSPECT IN CAMPING TRIP MURDER IDENTIFIED AFTER DAD FOUND BUTCHERED IN TENT

Dustin Kjersem was found dead in his tent while camping in Montana. Police described it as a "vicious attack." (Gallatin County Sheriff's Office)

"This was a tough case and asserting an affirmative defense comes with multiple hurdles, especially when it happens in such a remote area with no witnesses to the events that took place," Kottke reportedly said. 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP  

Abbey was previously tied to a white supremacist organization, according to an inmate information document from Gallatin County. Additionally, State Department of Corrections records revealed Abbey had tattoos of a swastika and an iron cross, according to the AP. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.