A Montana man was convicted Monday in a 2024 killing at a campsite that that was initially reported as a possible bear attack.

Daren Christopher Abbey was convicted by a Gallatin County jury of deliberate homicide in the killing of Dustin Kjersem in a remote campsite off Moose Creek Road near Big Sky.

Kjersem was camping there when he met Abbey, a stranger, in a chance encounter, welcomed him to the site and shared his beer with him on the night of Oct. 10, 2024, law enforcement said at the time.

Abbey then struck Kjersem with a block of wood and an ax and stabbed him with a screwdriver, prosecutors said.

Kjersem’s body was found in his tent two days later by his girlfriend, who had planned to meet him, officials said.

Suspect identified in brutal Montana wilderness killing

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