Axe missing after camper's brutal murder as killer remains at large

Two weeks aft a camper successful Montana was savagely killed successful his tent, authorities opportunity they are looking for a ample axe and different items that were apt taken from nan crime scene.

Dustin Kjersem, 35, was recovered dormant successful his shelter earlier this period by a friend who reported Kjersem appeared to person been killed by a carnivore — but officials soon discovered nan camper was really nan unfortunate of a sadistic murder.

In a social media post, nan Gallatin County Sheriff's Office said it's continuing to analyse nan circumstances surrounding nan homicide and asked nan nationalist to beryllium connected nan lookout for a ample axe and respective items that are "believed to person been removed from nan segment of nan crime."

Specifically, authorities said they were looking for a bluish and metallic Estwing campy axe, apt pinch a 26" handle, arsenic good arsenic a Remington 11-87 12ga shotgun and Ruger Blackhawk .44mag revolver. The sheriff's agency said it was besides looking for an orangish Tundra 45 cooler made by YETI.

"If you spot these items, don't touch them and instantly study them," nan agency said successful nan post, which included images of nan axe and cooler.

"We admit nan accusation that has been provided by nan organization and aggregate leads are being investigated," nan agency added.

Earlier this month, a friend discovered Kjersem's assemblage successful a shelter astatine a makeshift campsite on Moose Creek Road and called 911, telling responders nan decease appeared to person been caused by a carnivore attack, the sheriff's agency antecedently said.

But a authorities wildlife charismatic recovered nary signs of carnivore activity, and investigators said they soon recovered grounds of a "vicious attack." An autopsy later showed Kjersem sustained "multiple chop wounds," including to his skull.

"He was brutally killed astatine his campsite and we request your help," Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said previously, adding that his detectives were moving "all hours of time and nighttime to find his killer."

  Dustin Kjersem Gallatin County Sheriff's Office

No suspects person been identified, and Springer said nan distant area of nan crime scene, wherever location is nary cellphone service, was making nan investigation much difficult than astir cases.

"People person asked maine if there's a threat to this organization and nan reply is we don't know. We don't person capable accusation to cognize astatine this time," he said.

Kjersem's sister Jillian Price said her relative was a skilled tradesman and a doting father.

"I don't understand why nan world's conscionable not stopping and looking for who did this to him," Price told nan Bozeman Daily Chronicle. "Please, I mean he deserves that. I request that."

A GoFundMe group up for Kjersem's children has raised much than $24,000.

In:
• Homicide
• Montana
• Camping