Authorities investigating the brutal murder of a Montana man found dead at his Gallatin County campsite earlier this month say they are looking for several items that appear to be missing from the scene, including an axe and guns.
The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office asked the public on Thursday to be on the lookout for a blue and silver Estwing camp axe, likely with a 26-inch handle, a Remington 11-87 12 gauge shotgun, a Ruger Blackhawk .44 magnum revolver, and an orange YETI cooler.
Dustin Kjersem, 35, was found dead on October 12 at his campsite in Gallatin Canyon, as CrimeOnline reported. He was last seen on October 10 and was supposed to pick up a friend the next day for the camping trip. When he didn’t show, the friend went to the campsite and found the bloody scene, initially thinking Kjersem had been killed by a bear.
Investigators quickly determined Kjersem had been killed by a human predator and launched a homicide investigation. They have not said what caused his injuries but did say he was struck “hard enough” to cause significant damage.
In addition to the items believed missing from Kjersem’s campsite, police ask anyone who may have seen the murdered man or his black 2013 Ford F-150 between October 10 and October 12 to contact them.
