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Montana Camping Murder
A Montana man is charged with murder after the death of a fellow camper. The suspect claimed self-defense.
English
United States
Us PoliticsInvestigationCrimeMurderEvidenceSuspect
Gallatin County Sheriff's OfficeMontana State Crime LabMontana Department Of Corrections
Daren Christopher AbbeyDustin KjersemJillian PriceSheriff Dan Springer
- How was the suspect identified by law enforcement?
- Police discovered a beer can at the campsite that contained Abbey's DNA, leading to his identification as the suspect. Other evidence included two shot glasses and three beer cans, suggesting a second person was present.
- What prompted Kjersem's girlfriend to report him missing?
- Kjersem's girlfriend reported him missing when he failed to pick her up after work. She discovered his body in their campsite on October 12th.
- What is the current status of the suspect and the investigation?
- Abbey's bail was set at $1.5 million, and he is currently being held at the Gallatin County Jail in Bozeman, Montana. The investigation is ongoing, and the motive for the murder remains unclear.
- What was the suspect's claim regarding the murder of Dustin Kjersem?
- Daren Christopher Abbey, the suspect, confessed to killing Dustin Kjersem but claimed self-defense. However, police noted a lack of defensive wounds on Abbey, contradicting his claim.
- What actions did the suspect take to destroy evidence after the murder?
- Abbey admitted to stealing items from Kjersem's campsite and destroying evidence, including washing the murder weapons and burning his shoes. He also has a history of DUI offenses and a prior conviction for malicious harassment.