Beer can be used to track down a suspect in a camping father's murder case: the police
Beer left at the scene has helped authorities search for a man accused of beating a Montana father to death in his tent, police said.
Gallatin County detectives were able to identify Daren Christopher Abbey based on a DNA sample collected from a beer can inside the tent where Dustin Kjersem was found dead. The can was sent to the Montana State Crime Lab.
Abbey, 41, allegedly killed Kjersem, 35, after a “chance encounter” while camping near Big Sky, Montana, in October.
Abbey is in custody in Butte, Montana, where he was booked on an unrelated charge of probation. He is expected to be extradited to Gallatin County to face charges of first degree murder and two counts of tampering with evidence.
A suspect has been identified in a camping trip murder case after a father was found strangled in a tent.
Daren Christopher Abbey has been charged with murdering Montana father Dustin Kjersem (Montana Department of Corrections)
“This appears to be a heinous crime committed by someone who had no regard for Dustin Kjersem's life,” Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said at a press conference Thursday.
Abbey pleaded guilty to murder Tuesday after an interview with detectives, Springer said.
The suspect has tattoos all over his body, including an “iron cross w/ swastika” and another “swastika, SS lightning bolts,” symbols used by the German Nazi Party, according to his profile on the Montana Department of Corrections website.
“This person removed things from the camp that he believed had evidence that could tie him to this case. He removed the things he had touched, including a cooler, guns and an axe, and returned to the case the next night, removing other items,” added Springer. “This is the behavior of a guilty person who thought he could kill. “
FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X
Springer said Kjersem arrived at the Moose Creek area on Thursday, October 10 and set up camp, including “a wall tent filled with a wood stove, beds, lamps and many other things.” When Abbey confessed to the crime, the police found out that the suspect was looking for a place to camp that Thursday night and had come down to this place.
“When he arrived at the place, he found that someone was sitting there, [Abbey] “He said, Dustin welcomed him to the campsite and gave him a beer,” said Springer. .”
CRIME DEPARTMENT CAN HELP SOLVE LITTLE FATHER'S MURDER BASED IN CAMP AS KILLER REMAINS ON THE LOCATION
In an earlier press release, authorities asked the public for help in locating Estwing's green and silver camp axe, which they believe was taken from the scene. (Gallatin County Sheriff's Office)
SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER
Jersem had planned to leave the campsite to pick up his girlfriend on Friday evening, October 11 so they could spend the weekend together, but when he didn't show up as planned, his girlfriend became worried.
On Saturday morning, October 12, he and his friend drove to the camp, where they found Kjersem dead in the tent.
It was initially believed that Kjersem had been attacked by a bear, until authorities determined that was the case to kill.
“All in all, this murder appears to be an opportunity to come together,” Springer said. “There doesn't seem to be any connection between our victim and our suspect.”
THE FAMILY OF THE MAN WHO WAS MURDERED IN A TENT IS FEARING OUTSIDE THE KILLER.
Dustin Kjersem and his daughter. Jersem was brutally murdered while camping near Big Sky, Montana. (GoFundMe)
The suspect lived in Basin, Montana, and worked in the Big Sky area, Springer noted, adding that he was in the construction business. “He lived in a way, I wouldn't say for a while, but he was in many different places.”
GET UP-TO-DATE UPDATES DIRECTLY FROM TRUE CRIME HUB
“To the family and friends of Dustin Kjersem, you are all in our thoughts and prayers. No one deserves this to happen to them,” Springer said. “I hope this can bring some peace to all of you, and I'm sorry you have to go through this.”
Kjersem's sister, Jillian Price, previously told Fox News Digital that Kjersem has a daughter and a stepson.
When asked what she hopes others will remember about her brother, she said, “I wish they could hear his laugh, but I just hope they know how much he cared.
A MONTANA MAN WAS FOUND NEAR BIG SKY IN A TENT AFTER A 'Vicious Assault,' POLICE SAID.
Dustin Kjersem was found dead in his tent while camping in Montana. Police described it as a “vicious attack.” (Gallatin County Sheriff's Office)
“For some of the criminals out there, the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office and its partners will not stand for this type of behavior. You will not get away with it in our community,” Springer said. “If there is a need to commit these types of crimes, let it be known, we will hunt you down, and we will make sure you never see the light of day again.”
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
“Although the suspect has been arrested and charged, there are still months of work to be done,” he added. “The motive for this attack is still unknown, and investigators will continue to piece together everything they can to build a better picture of the events that night.”
