Bozeman Man Arrested in Connection with Gruesome Murder
BOZEMAN — A troubling murder case has unfolded in Gallatin County, where Sheriff Dan Springer announced that a suspect has been arrested in the death of 42-year-old Dustin Kjersem. Kjersem was discovered dead in his tent in the Moose Creek area on October 12, 2024.
Sheriff Identifies the Suspect
The suspect, identified as Daren Christopher Abbey, 41, had been residing in the Basin area and working nearby in Big Sky. According to Sheriff Springer, authorities were able to track down Abbey after a DNA match was made from a sample taken from a beer can found at Kjersem’s campsite.
Further investigations revealed that Abbey was located in the Butte area on October 26. He was arrested while leaving a local establishment. Following his arrest, detectives interviewed him on October 29, during which Abbey reportedly confessed to the crime.
The Timeline of Events
Sheriff Springer explained that Kjersem had arrived at Moose Creek on October 10, where he set up camp. His plan was to return to town on Friday night to pick up his girlfriend. Concern grew when he did not return as expected. On Saturday, Kjersem’s girlfriend, accompanied by a friend, went to the campsite and found him dead.
The Nature of the Crime
Investigators believe that Kjersem’s death was due to a chance encounter, as there was no known previous connection between him and Abbey, as per Sheriff Springer’s statement at the press conference.
Abbey confessed that he had intended to camp at the same location on the night of October 10, where he ran into Kjersem. According to his account, Kjersem welcomed him and even offered him a beer. However, the situation took a horrific turn. “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 an axe,” Sheriff Springer detailed.
Uncovering Shocking Details
The motive behind Abbey’s attack on Kjersem remains unclear. It was noted that Abbey allegedly removed several items he had touched from the campsite on the night of the murder and returned the following day to collect more belongings. Sheriff Springer remarked, “This is the behavior of a guilty subject who thought they could get away with murder.”
An autopsy performed earlier in the investigation confirmed that Kjersem died from “multiple chop wounds.” Initially, there was speculation that Kjersem might have fallen victim to a bear attack, but this was quickly ruled out by a bear expert from Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP).
A Community in Shock
In a poignant memory of her brother, Kjersem’s sister, Jillian Price, spoke out after the murder, describing Dustin as “a hard-working, skilled tradesman” and “a loving, helpful, and adoring father.” She emphasized that he “in no way deserved this.”
The community has been rocked by this tragic news, and many are left wondering how such violence could erupt in their peaceful surroundings. As the investigation continues, the authorities are working diligently to uncover more details about the case and understand the events leading up to this shocking crime.
Next Steps in the Investigation
As of now, Daren Abbey is in custody and pending further legal proceedings. Community members are left to reflect on the onslaught of emotions surrounding the recent developments, while law enforcement continues their work to bring closure to Kjersem’s family.
