Key Points

• Conviction in Shocking Campsite Murder: A Montana jury has found Daren Christopher Abbey, 41, guilty of deliberate homicide in the gruesome 2024 killing of Dustin Kjersem, 35, at a remote campsite near Big Sky. The verdict rejects Abbey’s self-defense claim, emphasizing the “brutal and excessive” nature of the attack.
• Deadly Weapons and Early Confusion: Investigators determined Abbey used a block of wood, screwdriver, and axe to fatally injure Kjersem, leaving multiple chop wounds initially mistaken for a bear mauling. Authorities later confirmed it was a homicide.
• Evidence Tampering Convictions: Abbey was also found guilty of two counts of tampering with evidence, having removed weapons and stolen items from the scene. He now faces a potential life sentence, with sentencing set for December 30, 2024.
• Possible Extremist Ties: Though investigators found no direct link between the killing and Abbey’s white supremacist affiliations, the case has reignited debate over extremist behavior and public safety in Montana’s wilderness areas.

The Deadly Encounter

What began as a friendly campsite interaction quickly turned fatal. According to court testimony, Dustin Kjersem, a self-employed contractor and father of two from Belgrade, Montana, invited Abbey to share a beer at his campsite off Moose Creek Road on October 10, 2024.

Moments later, Abbey brutally attacked him—bludgeoning Kjersem with firewood, stabbing him in the neck with a screwdriver, and striking him repeatedly with an axe. Kjersem’s girlfriend and a friend discovered his mutilated body two days later, initially believing he had fallen victim to a bear attack due to the severity of his injuries.

The Investigation and Breakthrough

Authorities quickly ruled out a wildlife attack after finding no bear tracks or evidence in the area. A subsequent autopsy confirmed multiple chop wounds consistent with homicide.

A major lead came from DNA evidence found on a beer can inside Kjersem’s tent—linking it to Abbey and his twin brother. Surveillance footage and additional witness reports confirmed Daren Abbey as the killer.

Abbey, who had been seen around Big Sky Resort making disturbing remarks about his prison time and racist beliefs, confessed to the killing upon arrest but insisted it was self-defense, claiming Kjersem had threatened him with a firearm.

Investigators later discovered Abbey washed the weapons in a creek and stole several items, including guns, phones, and a cooler, in an attempt to destroy evidence and stage the scene.

Awaiting Sentencing

Following the unanimous jury verdict, Abbey faces life imprisonment without parole for the homicide and evidence tampering charges. His sentencing is scheduled for December 30, 2024, in Gallatin County District Court.

The case serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers of isolated camping encounters—and the darker impulses that can surface far from civilization.