A Montana man with associations to white supremacist groups has been convicted of the gruesome murder of another man at a campsite in Montana, a crime initially misreported as a bear attack.

The jury found Daren Christopher Abbey guilty of using an axe, a block of wood, and a screwdriver to kill Dustin Kjersem. The two had encountered each other at Kjersem’s campsite near Big Sky, Montana, in October 2024, as reported by The Associated Press.

Abbey was linked to the scene when investigators discovered his DNA on a beer can within the victim’s tent. He initially defended his actions by claiming self-defense, alleging that Kjersem had attacked him first.

In a court appearance on November 26, 2024, in Bozeman, Montana, Abbey faced the charges against him. (Photo credit: Laurenz Busch/Bozeman Daily Chronicle via AP, File)

Authorities, however, highlighted several discrepancies in Abbey’s account, pointing to the numerous chop wounds inflicted on Kjersem as evidence against his self-defense claim.

Kjersem’s girlfriend and a friend later discovered Kjersem’s body and initially reported it to authorities as a possible bear attack, but authorities later ruled out their theory after wildlife agents found no signs of an animal in the area. 

Abbey later admitted to stealing Kjersem’s cooler, guns and cellphones, while also concealing evidence after the murder. 

Daren Christopher Abbey has been convicted of the murder of Montana dad Dustin Kjersem. (Montana Department of Corrections)

The six-day trial ended in Abbey being convicted of deliberate homicide and tampering with evidence, with the defendant choosing not to take the stand in his defense. While the charges constitute a capital offense within Montana, prosecutors will not seek the death penalty in the case, Jack Veil with the Gallatin County Attorney’s Office told the AP.

Abbey’s defense attorney, Sarah Kottke, said her client will choose whether to appeal the conviction once he is sentenced on Dec. 30.

Dustin Kjersem was found dead in his tent while camping in Montana. Police described it as a “vicious attack.” (Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office)

“This was a tough case and asserting an affirmative defense comes with multiple hurdles, especially when it happens in such a remote area with no witnesses to the events that took place,” Kottke reportedly said. 

Abbey was previously tied to a white supremacist organization, according to an inmate information document from Gallatin County. Additionally, State Department of Corrections records revealed Abbey had tattoos of a swastika and an iron cross, according to the AP.