A man from Montana, associated with White supremacist groups, has been convicted of a gruesome murder at a campsite in the state, a crime initially misidentified as a bear mauling.

According to The Associated Press, a jury found Daren Christopher Abbey guilty of murdering Dustin Kjersem at his Big Sky, Montana campsite in October 2024. Abbey had attacked Kjersem with an axe, a block of wood, and a screwdriver following a chance encounter between the two.

Authorities connected Abbey to the crime after discovering his DNA on a beer can located within Kjersem’s tent. Although Abbey initially claimed self-defense, alleging that Kjersem attacked him first, this defense was undermined by evidence.

Daren Christopher Abbey was seen in District Court on November 26, 2024, in Bozeman, Montana. (Laurenz Busch/Bozeman Daily Chronicle via AP, File)

Investigators highlighted discrepancies in Abbey’s account, noting that the severe chop wounds on Kjersem contradicted his self-defense claim.

Kjersem’s body was initially discovered by his girlfriend and a friend, who suspected a bear attack and reported it as such. However, wildlife experts later dismissed this theory after finding no evidence of an animal presence at the scene.

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.