Initially, the suspected killer was thought to have come from a bear

Suspected in the murder of a man whose death occurred in Montana Initially it was thought that it was 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 October 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 evidence we have identified in prior press releases.”

Springer said the suspect acted alone and poses no threat to the community.

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

Gallatin County sheriff’s Capt. Nathan Kamerman said earlier this month that Kjersem died from “multiple slash wounds,” according to an autopsy.

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

Kjersem was in an area that is not an official campground but is “a standard forest service area where people set up their own campsites” and where many hunters, outfitters and people live in the area, the sheriff said.

The homicide investigation remains ongoing, the sheriff said.

During an investigation last week, officials found items missing from the campground, identified them as including a shotgun, a revolver, a refrigerator and an ax and asked residents to be on the lookout for them.

“Our thoughts and prayers continue with Dustin Kjersem’s family,” Springer said Wednesday. “We hope that, in some small way, our efforts will bring them some peace at this terrible time. Our entire community mourns with you.”