Bozeman, Mont. — A jury found a man with ties to white supremacists guilty of murder in a Brutal murder At a campground in southwest Montana last year that was I mentioned it at the beginning Like a possible bear attack.
Darren Christopher Abbey attacked Dustin Kersem with a piece of wood, an ax and a screwdriver after they met at a Kersem campsite near Big Sky, Montana in October 2024, according to prosecutors.
The defendant later admitted to taking Kersim’s weapons, cooler, cell phones and other property and concealing the evidence.
Abe was linked to the murder scene through DNA found on a beer can inside the tent. He claimed it was murder In self-defense After Kersem threatened him. The authorities said there were inconsistencies in his story, and noted that there were several wounds in the attack.
The victim’s girlfriend and another friend found his body and reported a possible bear attack. The matter turned into a homicide investigation after wildlife agents found no sign of a bear in the area.
Kirsem had two children and worked as a self-employed contractor, building houses and learning other trades, according to his sister. Abe told authorities he arrived at the campsite intending to stay the night, and was greeted by Kirsem, whom he did not know, according to Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer.
After a six-day trial, the jury found Abe guilty Monday of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence, court records show.
A Gallatin County inmate information document last year said the defendant cited an organizational affiliation with white supremacists. His tattoo included an iron cross with a swastika, state Department of Corrections records said.
Abe faces sentencing on December 30 before State District Judge Peter Ohman.
Voluntary murder is a capital offense in Montana, but prosecutors will not seek the death penalty in this case, said Jack Fell of the Gallatin County Prosecutor’s Office.