Suspect arrested in killing initially thought to have been from bear

A suspect in the killing of a man whose death in Montana was initially thought to have been caused by a bear is in custody, the Gallatin County sheriff said Wednesday.

The suspect in the death of Dustin Kjersem, whose body was found in a remote area on Oct. 12, was not immediately released.

“The suspect is currently in custody on unrelated charges,” Sheriff Dan Springer said in a statement. “The suspect is cooperating with our detectives and has led us to the evidence we have identified in prior press releases.”

The suspect acted alone and there is no threat to the community, Springer said.

The body of Kjersem, 35, of Belgrade, Montana, was found in his tent around 2.5 miles up Moose Creek Road, and the person who found the remains reported it may have been done by a bear, officials have said.

The attack was described as “vicious,” and Kjersem died after sustaining “multiple chop wounds,” according to his autopsy, Gallatin County sheriff’s Capt. Nathan Kamerman said earlier this month.

Kjersem was last seen on Oct. 10, two days before his body was found.

Kjersem was in an area that is not an official campsite, but is a “standard forest service area where people make their own campsites,” and where there are plenty of hunters, outfitters and people living in the area, the sheriff said.

The killing remains under investigation, the sheriff said.

During the investigation, officials last week said items were discovered missing from the campsite and identified them, including a shotgun, revolver, cooler and ax, and asked the public to be on the lookout for them.

“Our thoughts and prayers continue for the family of Dustin Kjersem,” Springer said Wednesday. “We hope, by some small measure, our efforts can bring them a bit of peace during this horrific time. Our entire community mourns with you.”