Suspect in the brutal murder of Dustin Kjersem

BOZEMAN — The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office says a suspect has been identified in the murder of Dustin Kjersem, a Belgrade resident who was found brutally murdered in the Moose Creek area near Big Sky.

Kjersem was found dead in his tent on Saturday, October 12. An autopsy found that he had suffered “numerous incision wounds” which caused his death.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said in a news release that the suspect is in custody on unrelated charges and is cooperating. Springer says the suspect led detectives to previously identified evidence.

According to Sheriff Springer, the suspect is believed to have acted alone and no longer poses a threat to the community. The investigation continues, but the sheriff stressed that the community can safely resume outdoor activities.

The suspect’s name has not been released yet. The press release said the Sheriff’s Office would not comment on the investigation until charges are filed.

Kjersem’s sister, Jillian Price, said at a news conference after his murder that Dustin was a “hard-working, skilled craftsman” and a “loving, supportive and adoring father who in no way deserved this.”

The sister of a man murdered near Big Sky is asking the community for help finding his killer

A fundraiser for Dustin Kjersem’s children describes him as “a loving, supportive and adoring father, an avid outdoorsman and a skilled craftsman who could be the one to frame your house, pour the foundation or install the countertop.”

Click here if you would like to donate.

“I want to thank the detectives of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office for their relentless pursuit of justice in this case. They worked day and night for almost three weeks with limited sleep, limited time with family and limited time for themselves,” Sheriff Springer said in the release. “First and foremost, they prioritized the safety of this community and the need to locate Dustin Kjersem’s killer. It is this type of dedication that makes the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office and all law enforcement officers unique. This community should be proud of the men and women who have chosen lives of service to keep you, your families and friends safe.”

Sheriff Springer also thanked the following agencies for their work on this case: Montana Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Montana Crime Lab, Montana Department of Corrections, Probation and Parole, Office of the Medical Examiner, Montana Highway Patrol, Drug Task Force on the Missouri River, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the U.S. Forest Service and the Gallatin County Search and Rescue.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family of Dustin Kjersem. We hope that, in some small way, our efforts will bring them some peace in this terrible time. Our entire community mourns with you,” said Sheriff Springer.