Montana man convicted in campsite killing that was originally reported as bear attack

A jury has found a man with links to white supremacists guilty of murder in a brutal killing at a southwestern Montana campsite last year that was initially reported as a possible bear attack .

Daren Christopher Abbey attacked Dustin Kjersem with a block of wood, an axe and a screwdriver after they met at Kjersem's campsite near Big Sky, Montana, in October 2024, according to prosecutors. An autopsy showed Kjersem sustained "multiple chop wounds," including to his skull.

The defendant later admitted to taking Kjersem's guns, cooler, cellphones and other belongings and concealing evidence.

Dustin Kjersem Gallatin County Sheriff's Office

Abbey was linked to the murder scene by DNA found on a beer can inside the tent. He claimed the killing was in self-defense after Kjersem th